How to Get a Replacement Car Key Without the Original: A Complete Guide

If you ever pondered how to get a replacement car key without the original, the good news is that there are several solutions. Car key replacement, as well as car key replacement cost, are issues that can arise at the worst possible times. It’s actually a pretty common problem drivers have to deal with. In fact, getting a new car key or auto key replacement can be massively frustrating, especially if you need access to your car in a hurry or during an emergency.

Solutions to the lost car key replacement situation include contacting a dealership or calling a locksmith. You can also replace a car key with a VIN number online. In Denver and beyond, use this guide to gather pertinent details about how to get a replacement car key without the original and understand the pros and cons of all the techniques, including cost differences, various waiting times, and what documents you’ll need to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

This comprehensive guide includes all the information you’ll need to get a new car key under any circumstances.

Types of Car Keys and Why It Matters

When it comes to car key replacement, especially for people who want to know how to get a replacement car key without the original the first thing to know is what kind of key you need. That’s because each kind of key has unique features and replacement methods.

Additionally, car key replacement cost is different for each of the three options. Once you know the type of key, you’ll also understand which method to use, the approximate cost, and how long the wait time will be for car key replacement service. Here’s an explanation of the features of the various keys:

Old-School Metal Keys: Cut directly from metal, these keys are non-electronic, simple little items. They’re easy to copy for a minimal cost at just about any hardware store in the US. Because of their simplistic design, they’re very easy to replace for anyone who has a key-cutting machine.

Transponder Keys: These keys have a microchip inside that relays a message to your vehicle’s ignition system. When the key is inserted, the car starts after a unique code is relayed to the vehicle. It takes special equipment to duplicate transponder keys, which is why replacing them takes longer and costs more than replacing metal keys.

Remote/Smart Keys: These sophisticated keys let owners start, lock, and unlock their vehicles remotely without having to put an actual key into a physical slot. You’ll need a locksmith or dealership to replace them, and they cost more to duplicate than the other two kinds of keys.

What to Do if You Lose Your Car Keys

In short, if you lose keys, don’t lose your cool. Collect all the documentation and ID required, like the VIN number, registration, proof of vehicle ownership, etc. Here are the pertinent details on how to handle the situation:

A single set of missing keys can cause emotional stress. It’s wiser to stay calm and think things through before doing anything. For example, retrace your steps and look in places where you might have left the keys. Save time and trouble by making sure that they are lost and not just sitting on a dresser, behind a kitchen appliance, or on the living room floor.

Once you determine they are actually lost, find your VIN (vehicle identification number). It’s in car registration documents and on most dashboards. This will help you prove ownership later on. Gather your driver’s license, a passport if you have one, your Social Security card, and any other valid ID documents. Locksmiths and car dealership reps will need you to prove ownership and present your personal ID before they can help you.

Decide whom to contact and remain organized, calm, and determined to address the problem directly. Of course, there are some great ways to avoid losing keys in the first place, ⁣ as noted below, but if, in fact, you do lose them, it’s wise to have a plan in place for dealing with the situation.

How to Get a Replacement Car Key Without the Original

Contacting a Dealership

Dealerships have a specific way of operating. Get all your documents together to prove ownership and identity. Give their rep the info so they can access your key’s data. Advantages include having direct access to your vehicle’s key-related data. That way, the new key is guaranteed to match your car’s ignition slot.

On the downside, dealership fees are high, and it takes them a long time to create the new key. Waiting for a couple of days and forking over up to $500 makes this method of key duplication the least attractive for most vehicle owners. So, if you’re in a hurry or don’t want to spend a bunch of money, use one of the methods listed below.

Using a Professional Locksmith

Contacting a locksmith is the most practical and affordable way to get a new vehicle key. Dealerships usually need an original to duplicate a key, but locksmiths can create one from scratch with sophisticated programming techniques and by decoding the vehicle’s locks.

In terms of cost, dealerships charge between $200 and $500, while locksmiths bill customers about $50 to $150 for the same service. Ordering online by using the VIN costs from $50 to $250. And, locksmiths can provide new keys around the clock, any day of the year. Most vehicle owners prefer locksmiths for their lower cost, faster service, and 24/7 mobile availability.

Replace Car Key by VIN Number Online

One convenient way to replace a key is by using the VIN. First, check out the auto manufacturer’s website or your local locksmith and find out if they offer key replacement. The VIN contains a code that identifies the type of key, so you can order the exact version that works in your car. It’s the only way to order a replacement key from home.

Plus, this method can be used 24/7 online. What are the disadvantages if you replace a car key by VIN number online? They include getting an ill-fitting key and having to visit a dealer or locksmith to adjust it, as well as the obvious security risks of exposing your VIN on the internet. This online technique for replacing a key can be convenient, but there are risks.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Car Key?

The main factors that determine the cost of replacing a key are where you have the work done and the type of key.

For traditional, metal keys, total prices range from $3 to $10 for standard replacement, assuming there are no electronic components. Most locksmiths and local hardware retailers can do the job quickly and for a very low cost.

Transponder keys contain communication chips that “talk” to a vehicle’s ignition system in order to start the engine. Expect to pay between $50 and $200 to replace this sophisticated kind of key. If the key needs to be programmed, you’ll pay the higher end of the range.

Smart keys enable keyless entry and starting, so they are the most advanced kinds of keys in current use. Replacement prices can range from a low of $200 to a high of around $500. Professionals need to use special equipment to program smart keys.

In nearly every case, locksmiths charge less than dealerships do for replacing keys. The main factor in locksmith prices is the sophistication level of the key. Charges range between $50 and $100, based on whether programming is needed and whether the key is a transponder or smart key. Metal keys only cost a few dollars to create. Dealerships charge much more, around an average of $200, for the same services provided by locksmiths.

Can a Locksmith Make a Car Key

Yes, they can. And, they don’t need an original because they are trained to deal with all types of vehicle keys, including fobs, transponders, and metal keys. If your original is lost, a locksmith will use the car’s VIN to collect pertinent data for creating a brand-new key.

They can also program the new key to match the car’s ignition’s signal and security requirements. Experienced locksmiths are well-equipped to deal with all types of lost-key situations. Vehicle owners who want a practical as well as a cost-effective solution call their favorite locksmith when they lose keys.

Compared to a car dealership, contacting a locksmith comes with multiple advantages. For example, locksmiths tend to have much lower prices, which is a huge factor for people on a budget. Also, reputable locksmiths have mobile service, so they can come to you quickly, even if you’re stranded far from home.

Dealerships rarely offer after-hours service, but locksmiths with mobile service usually make calls 24 hours per day, every day of the week. Those cost and convenience factors make locksmiths the go-to professionals for people who have lost their keys.

Preventive Measures: Avoid Losing Your Car Keys Again

Fortunately, there are some excellent ways to avoid losing keys. If you take them to heart, key replacement might never be a problem you need to deal with. And even if you know how to get a replacement key without the original, the problem will never arise. How do people prevent losing their vehicle keys?

In addition to hiding a spare one in a readily accessible place, they attach key-trackers to the chain or ring. These Bluetooth-enabled and UWB (Ultra Wideband) units allow smartphone users to instantly locate lost keys. Consider making a habit of putting keys in the same place when you arrive home, like on a wall hook or in a designated bowl. Use a neon-colored lanyard or keychain as a final preventive measure against losing your keys.

Final Thoughts

For residents of Denver and elsewhere, auto key replacement comes down to three choices: dealerships, locksmiths, and replacing a car key by VIN number online. As highlighted above, all three approaches come with their own waiting times and price ranges when vehicle owners want to know how to get a replacement car key without the original.

The bottom line is this: contacting a locksmith results in the shortest wait time and the lowest cost. Dealerships tend to charge the most, and using the online VIN method can take a long time. Locksmiths are a win-win solution because their prices are reasonable and they work fast.