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How Much Do Replacement Car Keys Cost? It's never a good feeling to lose your car keys. GEICO can assist you in getting back on the road fast by providing Emergency Roadside Service. If you lose your keys It is recommended 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 a key or losing it was not a big issue. You could purchase a spare key and use it to turn the ignition. Nowadays, however, cars are more technologically advanced, and it's much more expensive to replace lost keys. An auto locksmith can be the cheapest option. They'll usually be capable of copying a basic metal key and do so for about $50 or less. However, this kind of key doesn't come with a chip and isn't able to unlock the doors or start the engine. This is due to the fact that modern car keys are equipped with transponders or chips that need to be programmed in order to work correctly. This is only done by a professional who is knowledgeable about what they are doing, for instance the local locksmith or car dealer professional in service. The cost of having an electronic key copied is fairly low however, the programming of the chip in modern cars will typically cost more than $300. The best way to prevent this is to make sure you always have a backup key, and keep it in a safe place. There are five different kinds of car keys, therefore it is important to identify which one you have prior to seeking help to replace it. An older, standard car key is a classic double-edged metal key that can be placed into the ignition cylinder, and turned to start your car. Keys like these aren't as popular, but you can purchase them at your local home improvement store for around $10. The next type is the transponder car key. This key has an embedded security microchip that sends a message to the computer in the vehicle to unlock the doors and begin the engine. This type of key is more difficult to copy than a standard mechanical key, and it can only be copied using specific tools that only a locksmith or dealer in the car industry has access to. The cost of this service can be as high as $500 or more, based on the model and make of your car. Transponder Keys Transponder keys are used by automobiles to communicate with their vehicle. They use a microchip in the key. When the key is placed into the ignition or placed close to your vehicle, it sends a code to signal your car to start. This is an excellent feature to have because it discourages theft. However, it also makes stealing your car much more difficult because a burglar requires both the right key and the transmitter in order to turn your car on and drive away with it. The cost of a new transponder key is usually slightly more expensive than a standard key, but only because it has to be programmed as well. It is possible to program a key transponder with the majority of locksmiths, however you should always inquire with your dealer if they are able to do it. They are the best choice because 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. This is why it is essential to research all the key options prior to buying your next car. You should be able find out which type of key is compatible with it and whether it requires the use of a remote to unlock it. Some newer vehicles come with a transponder-based password system. These are a bit more complicated because they require a special key tool to program them. They are more secure, however, as they employ rolling-code encryption that changes the password every time they are used. This means that if your key was duplicated, it wouldn't work in your car. It is essential to not attempt to break into your car on your own, no matter the type of key. This could be a red flag to insurance companies and will cause many mechanics to refuse to assist you, especially if they see indications that your vehicle has been altered or opened. This will make it extremely hard to get an exchange, so make sure to contact 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 get stolen than a traditional metal key. The keys don't have notches cut along the edge of the blade – instead there's a groove which cuts to a specific depth up the middle of the key's face. When looking at the key from above it's easy to determine whether it's a fake or not. The fact that they're so easy to recognize also means that you can avoid being locked out in the event that you happen to misplace your keys while at work or doing for errands. If you have a laser-cut key, then you'll need to call a professional locksmith with the equipment to make these types of replacements. Your local hardware store will not be able to provide you with the replacement key laser-cut because they don't have the equipment to cut and program this kind of key fob. A locksmith will use an instrument that resembles a standard drill in order to mill the metal of the key. This will cut the entire surface to the desired length. The key's unique code will be retrieved from the VIN, and the key will then be cut to meet your vehicle's specifications. Laser-cut keys are not like normal transponder keys because they do not have electronic chips or electronics that can be changed. They must be destroyed and replaced with a new one. This is the reason why laser-cut keys are so expensive, as they require a complete rebuild of the entire key. Keep at least one spare car key in your possession in case of the event of. This way you'll be able contact the locksmith to cut it and program it for you, so that you can gain access to your vehicle again without needing to pay to have it tow-back to the dealership. Fobs Unless you own an old classic car, the chances that your car is equipped with one of the latest high-tech fobs that allow you to unlock and start your car without a key. These keys are equipped with special computer chips that must be programmed in order to work with the car you own. Certain locksmiths can do this reprogramming, but it's best to let your dealer handle it. They are familiar with the vehicle and have all the tools needed. The cost of replacing your car's key fob can be up to $500 based on whether it is smart key or remote-controlled key. This doesn't include cost of an electronic backup key that you may want in case your fob gets lost or stolen. It used to be that losing your car keys was a hassle, but now it's a major issue. This is because modern vehicles have made keys so easy and reliable that thieves can now steal keys, says Richard Reina, training director at CARiD. The advances in car key technologies have made it more difficult for thieves. The new keys come in a variety of sizes and shapes however the most expensive is one that has an electronic transponder as well as a mechanical key in the same fob. This “smart” key comes with an elongated shank that is spring loaded and folds in the fob to form a switchblade. auto key replacement is less likely to get lost or tucked in a coat pocket. These are usually more expensive than regular remote-controlled keys and could need to be replaced by a dealership. If you have an extra fob that works with your vehicle and that can be copied to work with another vehicle, you may want to consider ordering an aftermarket replacement from a company such as Amazon or a locksmith and key specialist who can program many different vehicles. You may be able to cut and program your own fob for less than what a dealer charges which could save you as much as $200 or more. Be sure that the new fob and key you purchase is the same year, model and model as the original to ensure it is programmed to work with your car.