How Much Do Replacement Car Keys Cost Losing your car keys is never an enjoyable experience GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service can help you quickly get back on the road If you lose your keys it is an ideal idea to have a spare To make it easier we have put together a guide to how much replacement car keys cost Mechanical Keys It wasn't long ago that misplacing keys or losing it was not a big deal You could purchase a spare and simply use it in the ignition However, modern cars are much more advanced in technology and it's more costly to replace keys that have been lost Hiring an auto locksmith is the most affordable alternative They can usually copy keys made of metal for less than 50 This kind of key does not have chip and will not be able unlock doors or start an engine This is due to the fact that modern car keys come with transponders or chips that have to be programmed in order to work properly This can only be done by a professional that knows what they are doing, for instance the local locksmith or car dealer professional who is a service expert The cost to get a mechanical key copied is relatively cheap, but the programming of the chip in modern cars will typically run you more than 300 It is best to always keep a spare key and keep it in a safe place There are five distinct types of car keys, therefore it is important to identify which one you have before getting help with replacing it An older, standard car key has a classic double-edged metal key that can be inserted into the ignition cylinder and turned to start your car These keys aren't as common, but they are available at your local home improvement store for 10 The second type is the transponder car key This key has an embedded security microchip that sends a message to the vehicle's computers to unlock the doors and begin the engine It is more difficult to duplicate than a mechanical one and is only possible with special tools, which are only available to a locksmith or dealer of cars The cost for this could be up to 500 or more, depending on the make and model of your car Transponder Keys Transponder keys are used by cars to connect with their car They incorporate an embedded microchip inside the key When the key is close to your vehicle or placed in the ignition, it transmits an electronic code that tells your car to begin This feature is great because it deters theft It also makes it more difficult to steal your car, since a burglar would require both the key and the transmitter to turn it on and drive off with it A transponder key costs a little bit more than a regular one, however, it's because it must be programmed Most locksmiths will be competent to program a transponder key, but it is always best to ask your dealership whether they are able to program it as well They are the best option since they have the most knowledge of programming these keys, and they can provide you with a better price A lot of automakers have their own anti-theft systems https//wwwlynellesplaintop/automotive/the-future-of-key-replacement-car-trends-you-need-to-know-about/ is why it is essential to research all the key options prior to purchasing your next vehicle You should be able to find out which type of key works with it and whether it requires an unlocking device via a remote Some newer vehicles come with a transponder-based password system These are more complicated as they require a specific key tool to program them However they are more secure because they employ rolling code encryption that changes the password each time they're used This means that even if your key has been duplicated, it won't work with your car No matter what kind of key you have, it is crucial that you do not attempt to open the door of your vehicle by yourself This can raise alarms with insurance companies, and many mechanics will refuse to assist you if they notice signs that your car has been opened or damaged This will make it extremely difficult to obtain replacement parts, so be sure to speak with an professional 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 be stolen than a conventional metal key Keys with laser cutting don't have a notch cut along the edges of the blade - instead there's a groove that cuts to a set depth that runs across the middle of the key's face When looking at the key from above it's easy to determine whether it's fake or not The fact that they're so easy to identify also means that you're not at risk of getting locked out if you misplace your key while you're working or doing errands If your key is a laser-cut one then you'll have to contact an locksmith who has equipment to make these types of replacements Your local hardware store is unlikely to be able create the replacement key laser-cut because they don't have the equipment to cut and program this kind of key fob A locksmith will employ a machine that appears similar to a standard drill to mill the metal of the key This will cut off the entire surface of the key until the desired length The key's unique code can be found from the VIN and the key will be cut to meet your vehicle's specifications Contrary to transponder keys that are normally used, laser-cut keys don't have any electronic components or chips inside that can be replaced, so they have to be completely destroyed and replaced with a new key Laser-cut keys can be very expensive since they require a full reconstruction of the key Keep at least one spare car key in your possession just in the event of You can then contact a locksmith to get the key cut and programmed so that you can get back into your vehicle without having to pay for it to be tow to the dealer Fobs You may not have an old-fashioned car, but your car probably uses one of the newest high-tech fobs to unlock and start the vehicle without a traditional key These keys are equipped with special electronic chips that need to be programmed in order to work with the vehicle you own Certain locksmiths can do this reprogramming, but it's recommended to let your dealer handle it They are familiar with the car and have all the tools needed The cost of getting your car's key fob changed can cost as high as 500, depending on the type of key you drive and whether it's remote-controlled or smart This doesn't include the cost of a brand new mechanical backup key that you may want to have in case your fob gets lost or stolen It used to be that losing your car key was an inconvenience however, it's now a real problem Richard Reina, CARiD's training director, says that modern automobiles have made keys so convenient and powerful that thieves are able to take keys Fortunately, advancements in car key technology have made it harder for thieves to steal them These new keys come in a variety of sizes and shapes however the most expensive is one that comes with a transponder and a mechanical key in the same fob This "smart key" comes with an elongated shank with a spring loaded mechanism that folds up into the fob like the switchblade, making it less likely to be lost or tucked inside a coat pocket These keys are usually more expensive than regular remote-controlled keys, and may have to be replaced by a dealer If you have an extra fob that works with your vehicle and can be copied to work with another vehicle, you may be interested in purchasing an aftermarket replacement from a company like Amazon or a locksmith and key specialist who offers programming for various vehicles You might discover that you can program and cut your own fob for a much lower cost than the price a dealership would charge, which could save you 200 or more Make sure that the new key and fob you purchase is the same year, make and model as your previous to ensure it is programmed to work with your vehicle