How to replace a car key? In decades past, replacing a car key was a simple matter of having the proper metal shape cut. Keys for cars, light trucks, and SUVs today include remote controls for block access and alarms and transponder fobs that involve technology that requires special skills and equipment to re-create. If you want to know how to replace a car key, your best bet is to ask the experts at a professional locksmith company like Sundial Locksmith.

Visit Your Local Auto Locksmith

Many people believe that replacement keys are only available through their car dealership. This is not true unless it is still covered under warranty. In fact, you may end up waiting a longer time and paying more money if you take this route. Instead, choose a car key team has what it takes to get you on the road again. Whether you lost your original key, the transponder wore out over time, or you simply want a spare for security’s sake, knowing how to replace a key is an essential task.

First, if you do have an older car with a traditional metal key, all you need is a quick phone call to the local locksmith and they can get you in your vehicle or driving again with ease. Some difficulties may arise with classic or antique cars or very unusual or foreign models. If you have a newer car with a plastic key fob with buttons and remote controls, replacing a car key takes a few extra steps.

How To Get A Replacement Car Key?

If you have an existing key, you are one step ahead. If you have lost it or it was stolen, a well-equipped locksmith can still make you a new one. When you first make contact, tell them the make and model of your car, the year it was produced, and your vehicle identification number (VIN) when asked. This unique identification code is necessary to create a remote or transponder key that matches your car specifically.

Cars built since the 1990s frequently came with transponder keys. These have plastic cases that contain a microchip that communicates between the key and your car and adds a layer of security. They do not necessarily have remote access buttons to unlock doors or start the engine. If you have a transponder key, you need help from a certified locksmith who knows how to reprogram a new key to match your vehicle.

Replace Car Key Fob

Keys with remote control access or alarm buttons can sometimes get replaced by aftermarket products that you can program to your car on your own. Read the owner’s manual or online make and model-specific instructions to learn how. For more peace of mind, consider the benefits of working with a knowledgeable locksmith company instead.

Whether you lose it or it becomes damaged over time, it helps to understand how to replace a car key to keep your vehicle secure and maintain access at all times. For a small investment, you can get a perfectly cut and programmed modern key to help prevent the stress of lockouts, theft, and other problems.