Repair 7

How to Replace a Lost Key

Losing the only key to a motor vehicle is inconvenient, stressful and usually costly to replace. If the car was purchased recently with financing, the seller or dealership may have a spare key. Try thorough searching first. Retrace your steps to search unlikely places such as your kitchen and bathrooms --- places that are typically the first stops after coming in to your home to put away groceries or to use the restroom. You may have left your key in these places.

Instructions

1

Contact a local dealership to determine if your specific make and model requires a programmed, laser or transponder key. A programmed key, or "chip key," is somewhat common in newer vehicles. You may be asked to provide your vehicles identification number for the dealership to find out if your specific vehicle requires any special key programming.

2

Contact local locksmiths with your specific requirements; a regular key can usually be affordable and quickly replaced. If a special key is required, ask if the locksmith is able to make a replacement key. In smaller towns it may be difficult to find a local locksmith with the technology to replace chip keys, laser keys and transponder keys. Check pricing costs with several locksmiths if possible to ensure you dont overpay.

3

Contact your local dealership again if you are unable to find a locksmith that can meet your needs. Dealerships are typically more expensive to go through for key replacement, but your vehicle key type may make it necessary to do so. If you have more than one dealership in your area, check prices as they can vary greatly. According to "The Boston Globe," replacing a key at the dealership could cost you anywhere from $80 to as high as $300 or more (as of September 2010); in fact, many dealers are reported to charge separate prices for the replacement key and the re-coding.