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https://www.deborahdickerson.uk/automotive/your-ultimate-guide-to-finding-car-key-replacement/

Car Keys Replacement Cost A few years ago losing your car keys was not a big deal You could bring your spare key to a key cutting shop for an alternative that cost 10 or less Nowadays however the process can be more complicated and expensive Find out more about the different types of car keys and how they can cost you to replace them Basic Key Fob A key fob is both a remote and key in one Its a tiny plastic device that houses buttons or buttons that you can push to unlock the doors open the trunk or hatchback open the windows and perhaps start the car The key fob has a builtin electronic chip that communicates with the cars onboard system to control functions like the starter Basic key fobs are made of standard plastic and use a regular lock and key mechanism They are identical to those found on old Pontiacs as well as Saturns A basic key fob can cost anywhere between 50100 but youll be charged more if you require a replacement for one that has been lost or damaged If your car was made within the last five years chances are youll need to visit the dealership for a replacement fob as many newer vehicles require specialized equipment to program and code new keys A locksmith or key shop can usually perform this task for less however The type of fob you have will also affect the price Older vehicles have mechanical key fobs while the modern models have transponder keys replacement key fobs for cars of both kinds can be equipped with a variety of features They may include keyless entry which locks and unlocks your car automatically or rolling codes that are updated frequently to stop thieves from intercepting the data on your key fob You might be able to purchase an aftermarket key fob for less than the price youd pay at the dealership but these may not work with your vehicle Some manufacturers including Audi and Subaru have security chips in their key fobs that block them from working with devices that are not thirdparty Some dealers can program an aftermarket key fob when its brought in however its highly unlikely that it will work You can find out more about programming your key fob by visiting the site of the manufacturer or in the owners manual It is recommended to try this yourself first before paying an expert locksmith or visiting the dealer You may also want to check the warranty on your vehicle and the autoinsurance policy to determine if they cover the cost of a new key fob Transponder Key Most newer cars use keys of a different type known as a transponder key They have an embedded chip in the keys head that transmits a signal to the vehicle when it is placed in the ignition cylinder The signal is used to unlock the car and begin the engine This key is more secure than the traditional flat metal keys because the transponder chip stops cars from starting without the proper signal This technology was designed to reduce car theft because it is virtually impossible to duplicate these keys without the right equipment In addition many cars also have immobilizer systems that prevent them from starting if keys that are not transponder compatible are used Car thieves have come up with methods to steal vehicles with transponder key systems A locksmith will usually be able to assist you in replacing the damaged or lost transponder key Theyll need the information about your specific vehicle including the VIN number as well as the model and year Theyll either program the key you have to the cars computer system or cut a new one This is a little more expensive than simply getting a car dealership to cut and program a new key Some stores for automotive such as AutoZone and Walmart are also capable of cutting and recopying a transponder key but they may not be capable of reprogramming the chip in the key It is best to call an experienced and reliable locksmith service to ensure that a professional will be competent to complete the task Before the invention of this technology it was fairly easy to make a duplicate car key and then hot wire a vehicle This method of stealing cars was very common and allowed criminals to gain entry and drive away with stolen vehicles The advent of transponder keys has greatly reduced this activity but its not completely eliminated You can get a professional to do this for you if you need an extra transponder key or if youve lost one It will cost more than a standard one however its a safer and better option to ensure that anyone else will not be able to start your car Keyless Entry System Car key fobs are now a standard feature of vehicles as more and more people seek convenience safety and security These transmitters can open doors activate the panic alarm unlock the trunk or even start the engine without a physical key They are easily tossed around and are more likely to get lost or stolen Theyre also expensive to replace and you could need fob programming to pair your new key with your vehicle A basic key fob costs about ten dollars to get cut at an hardware store but the latest smart keys can be expensive if you want to purchase the keys and have them programmed Based on the make and model you can expect to pay between 200500 for a replacement fob plus the cost of having it cut and programmed to your car There are other more advanced car keys systems that allow you to use your smartphone as a key You can lock or unlock your vehicle by using an app that you have installed on your smartphone You can also turn off and on your lights activate your parking break as well as perform other things based on the proximity to the car These apps are ideal for those who reside in urban areas or have children and worry about them leaving the car unattended Certain of these systems are costly however theyre more secure than a regular car key because they can locate you and prevent you from accidentally locking the car or turning the engine on if youre too far away Certain of these systems can help you locate your car in a garage and others can notify you when you close or open the doors These systems are also beneficial for companies such as property managers who manage office spaces or vacation rentals These systems allow them to monitor access rights for guests as well as cleaning staff and maintenance staff as well as ensuring that only those with the proper permissions can go in and out of the space Dealership Some people feel they must visit a dealer when their keys are missing Dealers will ask for proof of ownership and could order the key from the manufacturer This can take several days A dealer can usually do the job more quickly than a locksmith and might even cost less The key fob may still require to be programmed for your car This can be done either at the dealership or by consulting your owners guide It involves closing and opening doors and turning the lights and other electronic devices on and off It may even require pressing a set of buttons that function as a code It is usually performed by the driver but it is always better to have a technician perform it The cost will also be dependent on the year make and model of vehicle The cost of the service may be affected by the year model and model of the vehicle A dealer who sells a particular model of car is more likely to be able to change keys for that model Some of the bigger manufacturers such as Ford Toyota Chrysler and Nissan have a huge variety of models and are more acquainted with the keys for the specific models Other brands are more difficult to work with Some of the older brands that have shut down or that are old enough that they no longer make keys are included This includes Scion Pontiac Hummer Oldsmobile Mercury Saturn and Eagle Typically these types of keys require reprogramming and can be more difficult and more expensive than replacing the key itself In general if you have a spare key it is recommended to duplicate it at a specialist instead of getting an alternative from the dealer You will avoid paying more expensive rates for afterhours or weekend services If you lose your keys you can be assured that the cloned one will work