How Much Does an Ignition Key Replacement Cost?

Losing your car keys can be a major hassle. A replacement key can usually be found by making an appointment with an auto locksmith or a dealer.

Costs vary based on kind of key. Some car keys are more affordable to replace than others. These are the various kinds of ignition keys: mechanical, remote key fob as well as transponder and switchblade.

Mechanical Key

There is an excellent chance that you own a traditional mechanical key if your vehicle was manufactured before the '90s. These keys are made of metal with a head which is inserted into the ignition and turned to start the vehicle. These are easy to duplicate and don't contain any electronic components. If you already have a traditional, non-electronic key an auto locksmith could easily cut it and program it for less than $50.

In the 1990s, key fobs became widely used. They are designed to operate from a distance using the remote control instead of having to insert the keys into the ignition. These are much easier to duplicate and do not require any special tools to accomplish this although they will cost a little more than a traditional key.

Transponder keys, introduced in 1995, are fitted with microchips that communicate with the vehicle's immobilizer to ensure that only the right key can be used to start the motor. Transponder keys are more difficult to duplicate, and cost more to cut and program.

If you have trouble starting your car, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch. This part will cost you more than a standard one, but it is worth the investment to ensure that your vehicle is secure.

If the cylinder of your ignition lock is stuck or isn't able to be inserted, try gently jiggling the key. This could help to release the lock wafers, which might have gotten damaged over time due to frequent use. However, it is important to note that this is not always successful and may cause further damage.

Remote Key

If your car is equipped with an old-fashioned key and lock, you'll spend less money to replace it. These keys feature a metal shaft that is inserted into the vehicle's ignition and then turned to start it. These keys can be found at places like AutoZone or a locksmith, and they don't require special software to work with your vehicle.

Transponder chips are often included in the keys of newer vehicles to help prevent theft. These chips work by sending signals from the key to the receiver inside the ignition. This ensures that only a valid and ignition key replacement Cost working key is used to start the engine. The more advanced versions of these keys are called rolling keys, which transmit a different signal every time they're used, so that even if a person manages to take the key and then open your car, it won't able to start.

Key fobs function as a remote control, allowing you to lock, unlock and even open your car without the need to insert them into the ignition. They are more popular on cars built after the 1990s. They're a great way to secure your car from theft, and also give you more convenience.

If you own an old key fob that requires replacement you should be prepared to spend more because they require extra programming. The majority of dealers charge a fee for programming a new key fob but you can save money by following your owner's guide to reprogram the key yourself. The key fob is priced between $50 to $100.

Switchblade Key

The switchblade key sounds as if it's the bladed weapon used for self-defense in parking lots, but this is just an innovative car key that folds down into the fob when it is not being used. This type of key is available from locksmiths, an auto dealer, or on the internet but it's more than traditional keys.

Key fobs are electronic devices that regulate the functions of the key and send an alert to your vehicle when they are within reach. The car's computer or immobilizer will recognize the signal and allow the engine to start. Transponder chips have been embedded in modern vehicles since 1995. They transmit a unique, only-your-car-can read code. Professional car locksmiths are able to change the chip and key if they become damaged or lost.

Keys that are traditional can be replaced with inexpensive, basic fobs that have no integrated chip. They are typically available at auto parts stores and other retail outlets between $25 and $100. The cost of a new key fob with an integrated chip can range from $500 or more, depending on the manufacturer and features offered by.

A key fob that incorporates a switchblade can cost from $200 to $300, which includes the cost of a new battery and programming. If the key fob is not damaged, you can replace the blade or shank. Additionally certain types of keys come with a VATS or PASS-Key circuit. These chips contain resistors that stop unauthorized use by sending different codes to the car's computer and immobilizers when inserted into the ignition cylinder. This will prevent thieves from putting pressure on your ignition cylinder to open, and also makes it more difficult for them duplicate the key.

Transponder Key

Transponder keys are likely be used on cars manufactured within the last 20 years. They transmit a number when you insert them into the ignition. This helps to prevent vehicle theft. The car's computer checks the code and starts the engine in the event that it matches. Without a functioning transponder key it will be impossible to start your car.

You should be aware that a car dealership will charge a premium for you to purchase an updated transponder. This is due to the fact that they're the only one in town that can make the type of key your car needs. Locksmiths, on other hand can cut and program your new key for a fraction of the cost.

Transponder keys are a safety measure that came into play when car ignition switch replacement thieves began using a technology called hot-wiring to steal vehicles in the 1980s. General Motors began incorporating a tiny RFID chip into its key fobs to stop this. The chip can communicate with the car and start it. This technology can help prevent car theft because it makes hot-wiring useless.

You may notice that the grooves of your transponder key are beginning wear out. This is because the grooves shift tiny pins within the lock to a point that allows your car to start. You will also notice that when you insert your key into the ignition the key symbol does not appear on the dashboard of your car. If you're having these issues you should contact an auto locksmith in order to change your keys.

Smart Key

Smart keys bring technology to the next level. The key instead of being the standard key, has an electronic device that communicates with your vehicle, allowing you perform standard tasks like unlocking the doors and trunk, as well as opening the car with the pressing of a button. Despite their convenience, these keys come at more expensive than transponder keys or traditional keys due to their integrated technology.

To work, these smart keys have to function, they have LF (low frequency) transmitting antennas inside and outside the vehicle that activate when you turn the door or trunk handle. The LF signal travels from the door and body to the interior electronics that identify the smart key as valid. When the smart key is recognized, the vehicle disables the immobilizer and begins its engine.

But smart keys can also pose a risk to your safety. If you're too far away from your vehicle there's a chance that someone can intercept the low-frequency signal and begin your vehicle by placing it in an ignition slot, as per How Stuff Works Electronics. Certain manufacturers set the maximum transmission range to 10 centimeters to limit the risk.

The model year and type of vehicle you drive can affect the cost of replacing a key. In general, older models have cheaper replacement keys than newer models. Some models may also require the use of a keyless system integrated with the fob in order to allow features such as remote locking and trunk access. Call a Pop-A-Lock to receive an estimate before you go to the dealer if you're anxious about the price of a replacement cost. Our locksmiths are able provide a replacement for cheaper and provide better service than dealerships.