How Much Do Replacement Car Keys Cost It's never pleasant to lose your car keys GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service can help you quickly get back on the roads If you lose your keys it is recommended to have a spare We have put together a guide on the cost to replace keys for cars Mechanical Keys Not long ago, misplacing or losing keys to your car was not a big problem You could simply purchase a spare key and use it to turn on the ignition Today, however, automobiles are more advanced in technology, and it's more expensive to replace keys that have been lost The cheapest method of doing this is to employ an auto locksmith They will usually be capable of copying a basic metal key and do so at a cost of 50 or less However, this type of key isn't equipped with chips and isn't able to unlock the doors or start the engine This is because modern car keys are equipped with transponders or chips that have to be programmed to work correctly This is only done by a professional who understands what they're doing, such as a local locksmith or even an auto dealership service professional The cost to have an electronic key copied is fairly low however programming the chip in modern cars will usually cost more than 300 The best way to avoid this is to ensure that you have a backup key and that you keep it in a safe place There are five different types of car keys available, so it's important to know which one you have before seeking help to replace it A standard, older car key is a double-edged metal lock that you can put into the ignition cylinder to turn on your vehicle They're not as common however you can purchase them at your local home improvement store for about 10 The next type is a transponder car key The key is equipped with an embedded security microchip that transmits a message to the computer in the vehicle to unlock the doors and begin the engine This type of key is more difficult to duplicate than a mechanical key and can only be done with special tools that are only available to a locksmith or dealer of cars It can cost as high as 500 or more based on the car's model and make Transponder Keys Cars with transponder keys use microchips inside the key to communicate with your car When the key is near to your car or inserted into the ignition, it sends an electronic code which signals your car to begin This feature is great because it deters theft But, it also makes stealing your car much more difficult because a burglar will need both the correct key and transmitter in order to turn on your car and drive away with it A transponder key is just a bit more than a regular key but that's only because it has to be programmed It is possible to program a key transponder with the majority of locksmiths, however you should always ask your car dealer if they can do it They are the best option since they have the most expertise in programming these keys and can provide you with a better price Many automakers have their own unique anti-theft mechanisms in place https//trade-britanicatrade/wiki/The_10_Most_Terrifying_Things_About_Lost_Key_Replacement_Car is crucial to conduct your research prior to buying your next car You should be able to find out which type of key will work with it and whether it requires a remote to unlock it Certain vehicles with more modern technology come with a transponder password system They are a little more complex as they require a particular key tool to program them They are more secure, however, as they utilize rolling-code encryption that changes the password each time they are used This means that even if your key has been duplicated, it won't work with your vehicle Regardless of what type of key you have regardless of the type, it is essential that you never try to gain entry into your car yourself This can cause alarms to insurance companies and could cause a lot of mechanics to refuse to assist you in the event of indications that your vehicle has been damaged or forced open This will make it extremely hard to get an exchange, so make sure to speak with an expert Mesa mobile auto locksmith Laser-Cut Keys If you own a car that has a laser cut key, you'll see that it's a lot harder to lose or steal than a traditional metal key The keys don't have a notch along their edge Instead, they feature a groove cut to a particular depth on the face of the key When you look at the key from above it's easy to determine if it's a fake or not They are easy to spot and you won't be locked out if you have your key lost while doing errands or working If you have keys that have been laser-cut, you'll need to talk to a locksmith professional with the equipment to make these types of replacements Your local hardware store isn't likely to make you a laser-cut replacement key, as they lack the equipment to cut and program this kind of key fob A locksmith will use an instrument that appears similar to a standard drill to cut the metal of the key This will remove the entire surface of the key to the desired length The key's unique code can be retrieved from the VIN, and the key will be cut according to your vehicle's specifications Laser-cut keys are different from a traditional transponder keys since they do not contain any electronic chips or electronics that can be replaced They must be destroyed and replaced with a new one Laser-cut keys can be very expensive because they require a full reconstruction of the key It's an excellent idea to have at least one spare key available in case you do accidentally lose your car keys So you'll be able contact the locksmith to cut and program the key for you so that you gain access to your vehicle again without having to pay to get it tow-back to the dealership Fobs You may not have an old-fashioned car, but your car probably has one of the most modern high-tech fobs to open and start the vehicle without a traditional key These keys come with computer chips that must be programmed to be compatible with the specific vehicle you have There are locksmiths who can assist you in this process, though it's usually better to have your dealer do it They have the tools needed and are knowledgeable about the specific vehicle you have, which can ensure it's done right The cost of having your car's key fob replaced can cost as high as 500, depending on the kind of key you use and whether it's smart or just remote-controlled This doesn't include cost of a mechanical backup key you may want in case your fob gets lost or stolen The loss of your car keys was once a source of frustration Now, it's a huge issue Richard Reina, CARiD's training director, says that modern automobiles have made keys so easy to use and strong that thieves can take keys The advancements in car key technologies have made it harder for thieves to steal keys The new keys are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, but the one that has both transponder and a mechanical key is most expensive This "smart key" comes with an adjustable spring-loaded shank that folds down into the fob, like a switchblade, which makes it less likely to be lost or tucked inside a coat pocket They are generally more expensive than regular remote-controlled ones and may require the assistance of a dealership to replace If you have an extra fob that is compatible with your vehicle and that can be duplicated to work with another vehicle, you might be interested in purchasing an aftermarket replacement from a company such as Amazon or a specialist in key and lock who can program various vehicles You might discover that you can program and cut your own fob at a much lower cost than the price a dealership would charge, saving up to 200 or more Be sure that the new fob and key you purchase is the same year, model and model as the original so it can be coded to work with your vehicle