Replacing car keys can be a hassle and is not always easy. Some individuals even spend huge amounts of money as they look for alternatives. However, this process doesn’t have to be complicated. Using known and tried techniques, you can replace your car keys seamlessly. Here’s how to replace a keyfob.
Know the Type of Your Key Fob
The first step is knowing the type of your key fob. In this case, you need to see if it’s a standard car key or a transponder key. A standard car key is a metal key that has no extra features. On the other hand, a transponder key has an electronic chip that signals the car’s ignition, allowing it to start. Therefore, you need to know which type of key fob your vehicle uses before replacing it.
Get a New Key From the Car Dealership
If you have lost your car keys, damaged a key, or don’t have spares, the best place to get replacement keys is from the car dealership. In most cases, the car dealer will record the vehicle identification number (VIN) in their system. With this information, they can easily get you a new key that will match your car.
However, getting a new key from the dealership can be quite expensive. The good thing is that you can avoid this cost by following the other methods below.
Use a Locksmith
If you don’t want to get a new key from the dealership, you can use a locksmith. A locksmith is a professional who has the skills and tools to create new keys. You need to give them your car’s make, model, and year, and they will create a new key for you.
However, not all locksmiths are created equal. Some will make duplicate keys, while others will create new ones. You must find a reputable locksmith to avoid getting duped. You can ask your friends or family members for recommendations.
Get a New Key From the Car Manufacturer
Another option is to get a new key directly from the car manufacturer. This will be cheaper than getting one from the dealership in most cases. However, it might take some time before getting the new key. Your car manufacturer will first have to create a new key from scratch before sending it to you.
What Is the Cost of Replacing Car Keys?
As you already understand, the cost of replacing a car key will vary depending on the method you choose. If you decide to go to the dealership, you should expect to pay $100 and $250 for a new key. On the other hand, if you use a locksmith, you will only pay $50 and $100. This means that going to the dealership is more expensive than using a locksmith.
Conclusion
Replacing a car’s key is not as difficult as it may seem. With the right information, you can easily replace your car keys without spending much money. Use the methods above the next time you need to replace your car keys. Contact Artie’s Lock and Key if you’re looking for a professional locksmith in the Tampa, FL, area.
Increasingly common in today’s vehicles, key fobs make unlocking and starting your car easier than ever before. They can remotely unlock your vehicle without the need to insert a key into your lock, with additional features differing greatly depending on your vehicle. All that being said, a key fob can stop working after a time, and you may find yourself needing a key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA.
There are many reasons your key fob may have stopped working, so you may not need to replace the device entirely. Read on for information about some of the most common issues that prevent key fobs from working properly.
Is it the battery?
Key fobs are powered by a battery system located within the device and, as with most battery-powered devices, a dead battery will keep it from working. Batteries die after prolonged use. That’s just how it is, but being unable to open your car because of a dead battery can be extremely frustrating.
That said, you could contact a locksmith in Fairfax, VA to bring you a key fob replacement or help you open your car. Once in your vehicle, you could easily buy a replacement battery for your key fob.
In order to avoid getting locked out of your car in the first place, it’s a good idea to be aware of your key fob’s battery life. If you are having to press your key fob multiple times to unlock your car, then this could be a sign of a dying battery.
Is my key fob broken?
If it isn’t the battery, then your key fob may have just died entirely. After years of use, it’s possible that your key fob has broken and you will need to get a replacement. To find out if your key fob is broken, you could try replacing the battery to see if that fixes the problem. There are also professionals who may be able to diagnose any issues with your key fob.
It may also be a good idea to contact your dealership and see if they have any recommendations. If all else fails, you will likely need to invest in key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA.
Is the problem with the car itself?
There may not be a problem with your key fob at all. It’s possible that your vehicle’s battery may have died. It’s also possible that your car is experiencing an electrical or mechanical problem, which means you’ll probably have to bring your car to an automotive repair shop in the area.
How much is a key fob replacement?
Key fob replacements can vary depending on your vehicle’s make, model, year and a variety of other factors. Having a locksmith replace your key fob can be more cost effective in many situations.
At Artie’s Lock and Key, we will easily provide you with a key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA, as well as key fob programming services to ensure your new fob works perfectly with your vehicle. For any and all locksmith service needs, contact Artie’s Lock and Key today.
These days, most new cars come with the option of keyless entry. Though once considered a luxury, keyless entry has become standard-issue in a lot of makes and models of cars, trucks and SUVs. And more’s the better—no matter how many times you use the keyless entry to save you the trouble of fumbling for the door key in the dark, no matter how many times you use the tell-tale sound to find your lost car in a crowded parking lot, keyless entry is a magical innovation. The option to lock and unlock your car door with the push of a button never ceases to be a wonder of technology.
That said, when your keyless entry fails to work, it can throw a serious wrench in your plans, whether you’re about to hit the town or commute to work. Here are some complications you might encounter when you require keyless entry repair in Fairfax, VA.
A specialized replacement
There’s really no such thing as an old-school car key going bust. You get one when you get the car, and that’s that. When you opt for keyless entry, on the other hand, there’s always the possibility that, at some point, your keyless entry simply won’t function. What’s more, engaging in keyless entry repair in Fairfax, VA can be somewhat complicated.
No simple copies
When you get a traditional car key, you can head to the nearest hardware store and have one or two backup copies made. That way, if you should happen to lose your key, you’ll still be able to get into your vehicle. When you have keyless entry, however, your car key includes a microchip.
This microchip is responsible for several things. It allows your fob to unlock and lock your doors at the touch of a button, it keeps you from being able to lock your keys in your car and it allows you to start your vehicle. If you accidentally lose your keyless entry fob, those features could turn into huge drawbacks.
For example, when people have a low-tech copy of their keyless entry fob, they’ll find that they can only lock and unlock the doors, and the engine itself won’t start.
Battery power runs down
Like any technology, keyless entry requires a power source to operate. In this case, that’s a specialized battery that keeps your fob’s microchip working. Batteries, as you know, have temporary lifespans. In the case of your keyless entry fob, that’s about three to four years. When the battery runs down, you’ll find that the remote entry capabilities of your car fail to work.
Make things easy on yourself
Looking for keyless entry repair in Fairfax, VA? Come to the pros at Artie’s Lock and Key. For more than 40 years, we have provided impeccable locksmithing services to the greater Washington, DC area. In addition to our work with remote entry and transponder keys, we’re also able to offer a massive array of locksmithing services for residential, commercial and automotive customers alike.
Take it easy on yourself. Trust your locks to Artie’s Lock and Key. Give us a call or visit us online today.
Key fobs are popular because of their convenience and security, but replacing them can be a pain. If you lose your key fob or it becomes damaged, you will have to find a way to replace it so that you can continue accessing your vehicle. Replacing your key fob can be a difficult and costly process, so it’s worth it to consider some tips and advice to make the task as easy an inexpensive as possible.
The steps you should take to replace your key fob depend on what specific issue you are experiencing. If you lost your key fob, for example, you will need to replace it and potentially invest in a lock change for your car if you’re concerned about theft. Most key fobs come with a transmitter with push button locking and unlocking for your vehicle, as well as a standard key that you can use to manually unlock your car. Replacing the fob transmitter and key usually costs between $200 and $300, though this can vary based on the particular make, model and year of your car.
If your key fob is broken, but you still have it in your possession, there’s a good chance that you will be able to avoid the cost and hassle of key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA. The first thing you should do is determine whether your key fob is really broken or if it simply has a dead battery. You can purchase a replacement battery and change it out yourself by opening your key fob. If this battery replacement doesn’t work, it’s likely there is something else wrong with your fob and you might need to get it replaced.
In some cases, your fob might still be working, but your manual key is broken or damaged. If this is the case, you can simply have a replacement key cut for you. This option can save you a significant amount of money over complete key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA. To ensure you will be able to get this service done for your particular key, you should talk to a local locksmith. They will be able to explain the necessary steps that you need to take to get your key replaced and can offer you a quote for the job. In many cases, they will be able to provide you with mobile service so you can get your replacement key made without visiting a locksmith shop.
Call for key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA
You can find out more about key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA and request service from an experienced locksmith by reaching out to Artie’s Lock and Key. We’ve been serving clients in the area for decades and we continue to deliver the best locksmith services around. Whether you are dealing with an emergency lockout or you want to update the locks at your home or business, our team has the experience and tools necessary to assist you. Give us a call today to find out more about everything we have to offer and to schedule an appointment.
In most modern vehicles, keyless entry is both a convenience feature and a security feature. You can simply click a button on your car key remote when walking up to your car to unlock or lock the doors! Unfortunately, there may come a time when the clicker fails. Below our auto locksmiths in Fairfax, VA discuss five reasons why your car remote may not be working:
- Dead remote batteries: A car key remote or key fob is a contact-free way of unlocking and locking your vehicle. In some cases, the remote can even start the engine. Batteries (typically lithium coins) are the source of power for car remotes, giving juice to the transmitter in the car key clicker. Lithium coin batteries are small and have a long shelf life, but don’t let that fool you—if the battery in your remote dies, there’s no power to wake up the transmitter. Replace the battery in a non-functional car key remote and see if that solves the problem.
- Remote is not programmed: The car key remotes for newer vehicles and many older vehicles are paired devices. They have to sync up with your car so that the transmitter and receiver become dependent on one another. This means the transmitter in the remote needs to be programmed and paired to the receiver inside the car; otherwise, the key remote will not work. It’s important to note that you will have to reprogram the key remote to your vehicle after replacing the battery.
- Damaged remote receiver or transmitter: A car key remote can only work if the transmitter and receiver are able to communicate. Remotes operate by exchanging signals with the receiver they are paired to. Should your key remote transmitter be damaged, it’s going to have a hard time communicating with the receiver in the car. You’ll likely need to rely on local auto locksmiths in Fairfax, VA to fix remote transmitter damage, or ask them to find out if the receiver in your vehicle is damaged.
- Remote broken: So, replacing the key remote battery didn’t fix the issue, and neither did your attempt to program it to your vehicle. It sounds like your car remote stopped working because it’s just broken. Even if it seems as though your transmitter and receiver are functioning properly, the key remote won’t work if its internal mechanics have shifted or are damaged. In the situation, you will need to visit an automotive locksmith for key FOB replacement in Fairfax, VA.
- Key remote is not the problem: There is also the possibility that the problem is with your car, not the key remote. You could have a dead car battery or a mechanical issue under the hood. Ultimately, if there’s no power in your vehicle, your keyless entry remote may not work.
Prompt locksmith services can get you back on the road fast. If you ever find yourself locked out of your vehicle or in need of key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA, call Artie’s Lock and Key right away!
