What To Do if I Lost My Car Keys? - Lok Out Shop
Not so long ago, misplaced—or worse, lost—your car keys was no big deal. You might have added a spare with your car in a small box that stuck to the inside of the bumper. But as cars become more technologically advanced, so do their keys, which can be more expensive than ever to replace.
Depending on what model and year of vehicle
you're driving, replacing a lost or stolen key can involve several steps and
several hundred dollars. If
you don't have a key for another car, back it up and keep it in a safe place.
Here are the five main types of car keys, and tips for what to do if you lose your keys.
Traditional car key
The standard key used by the auto industry is
purely mechanical; Insert it into the ignition cylinder and turn to start your
car.
If you lose it: You can call a locksmith, who can
come and hand you a new key on the spot. In some cases -- an unusual or old
vehicle -- a locksmith may not be able to help. You may need to purchase a new
ignition lock cylinder and key from a dealer or an independent repair shop.
Car key fob
The first fobs were add-ons and were meant to be
convenience. They can lock & unlock your vehicle, but you still use a
traditional key to start the car. The key can also be used to unlock the doors.
If you lose it: If you only lose the fob, you're
fine. You can still use your key to unlock and start your car. Fobs are readily
available as aftermarket products and can be easily programmed; You don't need
a special tool.
Car key fob and switchblade
key
After the detached fob was released, auto
manufacturers combined the two into a mechanism that would lock and unlock a
vehicle with a spring-loaded key that folds into it like a switchblade.
If you lose it: More expensive than a plain fob,
it costs about $125 to replace an aftermarket fob with a Switchblade key. These
are most easily found at a dealership, where they can be cut and programmed on
site; They are also available online.
Transponder key
Created to be a better anti-theft device, auto
manufacturers came up with transponders in the early 1990s. Transponders are
ignition keys that have a plastic head attached to a computer chip; They rely
on the wireless connection between your key and the car before allowing the
ignition to engage.
If you lose it: If you do not have a backup key,
you will need to take your vehicle to the dealership and have proof of
ownership papers before purchasing the key. (If one is to be ordered, the wait
can be several days.) Then the dealer must electronically associate the new
computer chip with your vehicle. In addition to the towing fee, replacement
keys will cost $200-$250.
Smart key
Also known as "keyless ignition," a
smart key is attached to vehicles that have a start button on their dash.
Smart-Key technology operates through a proximity sensor in the vehicle that
automatically knows when a Smart Key (which is not a key at all, but a paired
sensor) is nearby. This then unlocks the vehicle and allows it to be started
with the push of a button.
If you lose it: Like a transponder key, you'll need to take your car to the dealership. If you don't have a backup key, order a key (if the dealer doesn't have one in stock) and get it on your own. attached to the vehicle. The most expensive of the keys, these can run upwards of $320 to replace, with a potential towing fee on top of that.
Call Lok Out Shop, Lok Out Shop is a trusted source for residential, commercial and automotive locksmith services in (Richmond). We provide a full range of locksmith services, including lock repair, lock change, key duplication, lockout services and more.
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