What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys

Not long ago, losing, or worse, losing, your car keys was not a big problem. You could even have had a spare connected to your car in a small box, stuck inside the bumper. But as cars have become more technologically advanced, so have their keys, which can be more expensive than ever replace.

Depending on the model and year of the vehicle you drive, replacing a lost or stolen key can involve several steps and several hundred dollars, says Richard Reina, director of training at CARiD. If you don't have a second car key, make a backup and keep it in a safe place.

These are the five main types of car keys and Reina's suggestions on what to do if yours is lost.

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Traditional car key

The standard key used by the automotive industry is purely mechanical; Put it in an ignition cylinder and turn to start your car.

If you lose it: you can call a locksmith, who can come and give 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 buy a new ignition lock cylinder and a key from the dealer or an independent repair shop.

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Car keychain

The first key rings were complements and were meant to be a convenience. They can lock and unlock your vehicle, but 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 lose only the keychain, that's fine. You can still use your key to unlock your car and start it. The keychains are available as aftermarket products and are easily programmable; You don't need a special tool. You can find them at dealerships, auto parts stores or online. They are also cheap (less than $ 20).

Car keychain and razor key

After the separate command was released, the automakers combined the two into a mechanism that would lock and unlock a vehicle with a spring-loaded key that folds, like a razor.

If you lose it: more expensive than a simple keychain, an aftermarket keychain with a razor key costs about $ 125 to replace. 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, car manufacturers created transponders in the early and mid-1990s. Transponders are ignition keys that have a plastic head embedded with a computer chip; They rely on the wireless connection between their key and the car before allowing the ignition to be activated.

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If you lose it: if you do not have a backup key, you must tow your vehicle to the dealership and have proof of ownership documents before you can buy a key. (If you have to ask for one, the wait can be several days). Then, the dealer must electronically pair the new computer chip with your vehicle. In addition to the trailer charges, the replacement key will cost between $ 200 and $ 250.

Smart key

Also known as "keyless ignition," a smart key is associated with vehicles that have a start button on the dashboard. Smart key technology works through a proximity sensor in the vehicle that automatically knows when the smart key is near (which is not a key, but a paired sensor). Then unlock the vehicle and allow it to start at the press of a button.

If you lose it: just like the transponder key, you must tow your car to the dealership if you do not have a backup key, then ask for a key (if the dealer does not have one in stock) and have it matched to your vehicle. The most expensive of the keys can cost more than $ 320 to replace, with a possible towing load in addition to that.