Car key replacement for less Car keys have gone high tech,and replacing one is no longer a quick,inexpensive trip to the hardware store. A Consumer Reports electronics engineer found that out the hard way. While at the beach,he forgot that the key to his Toyota Prius was in his pocket,went for a dip in the surf,and never saw the key again. The cost of a replacement: $ many new cars,his Prius uses a proximity key that electronically unlocks the car when you touch the door handle and lets you start it by pressing a button on the dash. But even less sophisticated keys don't come ignition keys now have a transponder that electronically communicates with the vehicle to prevent theft; the car won't start if the key isn't programmed to match it. The systems also include a separate or integrated fob with buttons for locking and unlocking the you lose the key and fob,you can expect a dealer replacement and programming to cost $200 or more,depending on the vehicle and the key's design TPMS. A Lexus dealer quoted $374 for a new key OBD2 Scanner,fob,and programming,and a BMW dealer said replacement keyless fobs could be as much as $500,depending on the you don't need the key right away,one way to save is to buy a replacement over the Internet. A Honda dealer,for example,told us it would cost $200 to replace the key for a 2005 Accord. At KeylessRide,one of several sites that advertise keys at discount prices,we bought a Honda key for that car for $54; an off-brand version was listed for about $40. Having a locksmith cut and program the key added $80,for a total of $ on the make and model,you might even be able to do the programming yourself,saving more money. Instructions and videos can often be found online. Try searching for your car along with the words"key programming."Another common problem is when the but-tons on your fob stop working but the key still starts the car. First try replacing the fob's battery. They are often available at drugstores and retailers such as Radio-Shack for less than $10. Look for a small screw or a slot along the fob's seam where it can be pried open to access the battery. Make a note of any identifying numbers and take the old battery with you to the replacing the battery doesn't help,you might need to replace the fob's electronics. A Honda dealer quoted us $80 for that task. But we were able to simply open our $54 online key,remove the electronics assembly (with buttons),and transfer it to the original key. We followed the easy programming instructions that came with our key and saved $ can even go cheaper. Online we also saw replacement fobs and electronic assemblies for as little as $35.
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