Car keys are easy to lose and unfortunately it happens all the time. You might placed them down somewhere unusual and forget where and only when your about to leave you realize they’re missing.
Modern car keys are more advanced than the old metal ones we used to have, they have a transponder microchip embedded within them which is what makes them hard to duplicate.
Car key fobs offer even more advanced functions like trunk release and allowing the driver to start the car from a distance.
If it happens and you’ve lost your only car key it is still absolutely possible to get a replacement even without the original. No matter what car you drive, an old collectors car or a brand newer one, there’s always a way to make new keys although yours gone missing.
Car keys replacement and duplication
Simple metal car keys without transponder chips are just like regular house keys and if you lose one you can get a replacement, just call a locksmith, they have special tools to decode your key by the lock itself and they can create a new key by examining the inside of the keyhole on your car door.
Transponder keys and smart Key fobs
If your car was made after the year 2000 it is likely uses a transponder or a key fob, which can be harder to replace without the original and in order to get a new key made you can either contact your local dealership or an automotive locksmith.
as they can quickly cut and program a new key based on the VIN number which is individual and unique for each car.
You have 2 options to choose from either go to your local dealership or call an automotive locksmith. While dealerships usually charge more to replace your transponder key or key fob you would likely also need to tow your car to them which adds up to the total price and makes it much more expensive.
A cheaper and much more recommended option is to call an automotive locksmith which cost about half of the dealer’s price and do the exact same job.
How it Works
Keep in mind when using an automotive locksmith to cut and program a key replacement, they may need to know your car’s make, model and year which means they might ask for your car VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which is a unique character mix of letters and numbers that identifies your car, it is like a its own fingerprint.
You can find your car VIN on the driver’s side dashboard or on driver’s seat door frame from the inside of the car.
Verifying car ownership
On top of providing the VIN number you will also need to show them your car title certificate in order to verify ownership before they start working on your new car keys. Be ready also to show your photo ID as well.
Cutting and programming the new key
The process using your car VIN number to get the code for your car key takes only couple of minutes and after getting the key code the locksmith will be able to cut your new key and then program the code into it.
Once this process is done your new key is ready and should work properly, also the remote control buttons should work perfectly, allowing you to lock and unlock, start the car doors, release the trunk and sound the alarm honk.