Save Money When Replacing Your Car Keys

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There are many reasons why you might need to replace your car keys, such as if you lost your keys or locked them in your vehicle. Even though some people think that replacing lost or stolen car keys is easy and affordable, it can actually be surprisingly expensive. This is because many modern cars now use transponder keys, which are more complicated and costly than more typical keys but that help prevent car theft. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can save money when replacing car keys, so keep these tips in mind to reduce what you have to spend.

Have It Done By a Locksmith

Many people head straight to the car dealership to have their keys replaced. Even though your dealership might be able to sell you a key, you can expect for the cost to be high. Instead, consider calling a locksmith that has experience in making keys for cars. In some cases, a locksmith can make a spare key a whole lot more affordably than a dealership can.

Have Just the Shell Replaced

If your keys aren't lost but are damaged, consider having them repaired instead of having them replaced. For example, if the shell on the outside of your key is broken or cracked, you may be able to have this part alone replaced rather than buying a whole new key. A locksmith should be able to help you with this and should save you a significant amount of cash when compared to a full key replacement.

Consider a Non-Transponder Key

Even though you might need a transponder key in order to start your vehicle, a more traditional key may work for unlocking your car. If your keys are locked in your car and you simply need to gain access, or if you just want a spare key for emergency situations when you might lock yourself out of your car, a non-transponder key might do the trick. Even though you can't use it to drive your car, you can use it to gain access to your vehicle when needed. Plus, you can generally save a whole lot of money when having one of these keys made.

As you can see, it's possible to save money when replacing your car keys. If you give these tips some thought, you might find that scoring a new key for your car is more affordable than you thought it would be.


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