14 Dec
Uncategorized

How Do I Get a Spare Key for My Car?

It is unfortunate some people look at spare keys as a luxury and not as a necessity. There are so many reasons why that isn’t so. Sure, car keys in the past few years have gone up in price but there is a reason why people spout the wisdom of having a spare. A spare will definitely help you to get out of unfortunate circumstances that car owners around the world deal with. Investing in one will help you in the long run.

Save Money & Time

Losing a key, getting it stolen, breaking a key, locking it inside of your car are some of the situations where a spare could come in handy. When you don’t have a spare, you will waste money ordering a replacement. You will also your time waiting for your replacement key instead of using it for some other purpose. A spare key will do wonders to a person when they find themselves in a situation of lost keys, stolen keys, or locked inside car keys. Also, if there comes a time when you plan to sell or trade your car, having a spare will add resale value to it. The added value will not be tremendous, but the added value is still added value.

Makes Certain Situations Easier

Having a spare will definitely make it easier for a locksmith or car dealer to replace your main key if lost, stolen, broken, or locked inside a car. With the spare key, it will cut the time needed for them to replace your key. Without it, a locksmith or car dealer would cut and program a key from scratch.

Having a spare will also help with customization. There are car keys with different features that limits something of the car, limiting the top speed or limiting the volume of the radio are examples. Having a spare that was programmed a certain way would be a way to secure the vehicle and the passengers, an example are teen drivers or student drivers.

What Do You Need?

Ordering a spare key is like ordering a replacement but it may be cheaper. When ordering a replacement key, one must show proper paperwork. Ownership papers, VIN, immobilizer code, and such. When ordering a spare, showing up to a locksmith or car dealer with your main key would suffice. With your key in hand, it would be easier for them to remake a key rather than doing it by scratch, as stated above.

Make, Year, & Model

When planning to approach a locksmith or car dealer, make sure you have the important information written down. The make, model, and year of the vehicle. Be specific when it comes to the year and model, some car manufacturers produce special edition cars. Unique cars and their keys will be unique to them. If you own one of these special edition cars, specify which model and what year was it registered.

Locksmiths and Car Dealers

With those at hand, you have two options, locksmiths, or car dealers. Our previous articles already talked about this. Mainly, when a person owns an older car, locksmiths can simply fashion a key. Without the complexity of newer keys, locksmiths are a great choice to purchase a spare from. Newer car keys are difficult to deal with, with programming and all, by locksmiths so the best choice to approach is the car dealers. Programming takes the bulk of the effort to produce a spare and car dealers have the necessary tools and equipment to program a newer key.

Price

The price varies from car to car, model to model. If you have a high-end vehicle, chances are the spare key you want would be costly. If you want to cut costs, there are ways for you not to burn too much money.

Insurance

If you worry that getting a spare might be too expensive, check with your car dealer or insurance company. With the price of modern cars and the complexity of high-end keys, they are bound to be painfully costly to purchase a spare. There are insurance policies about car keys, some policies might give you a spare while others would just ask for a small fee. This is a way to cut costs if you want to get a spare.

Aftermarket Keys

If your insurance does not have a policy on keys and you are still worried about the price, you could purchase aftermarket keys. The quality of these keys varies but they usually get the job done like their original counterparts. If you’re not willing to pay too much for a spare key, try giving an aftermarket key a shot. Car Keys With Ease provide car keys of different brands and different models, click in the search bar and type the key you need. We will do the rest.

10 Dec
Uncategorized

How Much is a Replacement Car Key in the UK?

The price of replacing a car key now is different than replacing a car key years ago. The simplicity of traditional keys makes it easier and cheaper for them to be replaced. Without the complexity of modern car keys, purchasing or cutting traditional keys can be serviced by any home improvement stores. However, due to the car manufacturers’ goal to upgrade their vehicle’s security, car keys now are more intricate than ever before. Even the act of replacing a modern key may cost hundreds.

The multiple technological advancements in recent years skyrocketed the price of modern car keys. Luckily, the cost of car keys varies from car manufacturers, their vehicle make, and model. Keys of high-end cars will definitely be more costly than other cars. The cost also depends on the complexity of the electronic devices present in the key. Programming will be another factor, and so is key cutting.

Expected Cost

The price is different when approaching a locksmith and approaching a car dealer. A locksmith with up-to-date gear dealing with ignition and door keys would range from £30 to £100. Modern keys like remote keys would range from £100 to £200. However, going to a car dealer would be much more expensive. The price will definitely go above £200. The up-to-date “smart keys” will likely go beyond £250. Replacing smart keys are usually done by car dealers, a locksmith may not have the necessary gear to try, regardless of how recent the gear is. Still, there are pros and cons for approaching a locksmith and a car dealer.

Approaching a car dealer would be always the best option when you own a recently made car. Car dealers would be better equipped to tackle replacing new car keys. Locksmiths would have a difficult time with newer car keys. However, if you own an older version of a vehicle, locksmiths can get the job done. It always depends on what version of a car the person owns.

Factors Affecting Replacement Costs

We outlined some of the factors affecting the cost of replacing a car key. The type of key, the make and model of the vehicle, and the year of registration. We also talked about this a bit in our previous articles. Now, we aim to detail this at length.

Make and Model

Different models of different manufacturers will use different keys. There is no set price of keys for a certain car brand as there are no set keys for it. A newer version of a vehicle would have a newer version key that would definitely be expensive.

Year of Registration

In line with the model of a vehicle, the price will alter depending on the year it was registered. You should expect a car key of 2020 would be more expensive than a car key from 2010.

Special Editions

While there are different models for a vehicle make, there are car manufacturers who put in the effort to create a unique car. Creating this would also create a key unique to that type of car and unique keys come with unique prices.

Type of Key

There are different types of car keys and their prices vary. We talked about this more in our article, “Replacement Key Cost”. The main thing about it is that the car key replacement price depends on the amount of technology inside the key. The complexity of the electronic device, programming codes, and the programming itself will dictate the overall price. Transponder keys, remote keys, and remote keyless keys are some of the types of keys that have electronic devices inside them.

Other Factors

Price undeniably varies from brand to brand; more expensive vehicle brands would definitely have more expensive car keys. The locality of the locksmith or dealer would also influence the brand, modern cities will certainly have a higher price than other places. 

The Key, The Cutting, The Programming

While the factors detailed above influence the car key’s price, these three are the main elements you will be paying for. When ordering a replacement key, you will be paying for a blank, uncut, and unprogrammed key. You will then pay the cutting process of the key. Finally, programming the car key. This is the most expensive element, specific tools are needed to program the key and these tools do not come cheap. Thus, the bulk of the price of replacing a key lies with the programming element.

Insurance

Having insurance is a way to cut the cost of replacing a car key. Check with the car dealer you purchased a vehicle from or your insurance company. See if they offer a car key insurance policy. Usually, a car key insurance policy would freely replace a key or asks for a small fee.

10 Dec
Uncategorized

What to Do if You Lost Your Car Keys?

Losing your car keys is a very annoying and infuriating ordeal one person will experience. If you locked your keys inside your car, there are remedies that you can do in that situation. It only depends if you have a spare or if you know methods to gain entry in a locked car. If you are in this particular situation, we made an article detailing every method you can use, “How to Get Keys Out of Locked Car with Automatic Locks”.

However, if you’re in a situation where you definitely lost your main and spare key, you’re in for a rollercoaster of varying degrees. 

First Things First

Don’t panic. Nothing good happens if a person panics. People who act out of panic will usually do more harm than good. Just stay calm and keep a clear head. Maintaining your composure will help tremendously with the first thing you will do, thinking about where you last left your car key. Have a moment and traceback in your memory the specific area where you left it. If you do remember where, check the area. Try to broaden the area where you think the car key is if you can’t immediately find it. Double-checking won’t hurt either. 

If you can’t find it, try looking inside your car. You might be a victim of locking your car key inside your vehicle. Don’t worry, this situation happens many times to car owners around the world and some methods can help you gain an entry inside. However, if it isn’t inside the main body of the car, it might be inside the boot. This is a very different and more difficult situation to solve. It is more time consuming and expensive than locking your car key inside the main body of your car. If you want to know more about what to do if you locked your keys inside the boot, check the article, “What To Do if I Locked My Car Keys in the Boot of My Car?”.

Replacement Key

When you’ve done your due diligence, checking the last place you think you left your key and inside the car, and still can’t find your key. Your key is officially lost. Replacing it is your only option now. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to replace a modern key. With the amount of technology inside a modern key, it becomes more expensive and more complicated to replace a lost key. It’s not like the olden days where it’s much easier, cheaper, and less complicated to replace a traditional key. We made two articles that speak about what happens when a person replaces a modern key and its factors on the price. Check out the articles, “Replacing Remote Car Keys” and “How Much is a Replacement Car Key in the UK?”.

Before replacing your key, you must understand the nature of your key. What type is it? Modern keys nowadays are more complicated. Due to technology and its advancements, some keys that are used for certain cars can be programmed to be used for other cars. Some keys may be, to an extent, universal. Knowing which key you lost will be a lot of help to the locksmith or car dealer you intend to talk to. We have an article specifying the various types of modern car keys and their costs, “Replacement Key Cost”. 

Locksmith vs. Car Dealer

These two are the two main options where you can get your replacement key. Generally, for older cars going to a locksmith is a good solution. A locksmith can easily make a replacement key. If you worry about programming the key, don’t. Older car keys don’t have the same amount (or sometimes none) of technology as their modern counterparts. Also, it is much cheaper to go to a locksmith than a car dealer.

For modern keys, going to a car dealer is your best bet. As stated above, modern keys are much more complicated than traditional keys. With the amount of technology, a modern key has, most locksmiths may not know how to handle them. A car dealer is equipped to replace and program the key and reprogram the computer of your vehicle. 

Once being in a locksmith or car dealer, immediately order a spare key as well. It’s very valuable to always have a spare, whether on hand or kept in a safe place. It may add to the expenses of replacing a key but this is an investment that will help you in the long run. If you don’t want to pay too much for a spare, try purchasing aftermarket keys. They are cheaper than genuine keys, their quality varies but are still up to par with original keys.

Conclusion

It’s always a smart thing when a person has a preventive measure against this type of situation. Always have a spare or maybe even a third key. Lost it? Immediately replace it, don’t wait. Is it a bit too expensive? Try aftermarket keys. There are ways to work around car keys and their price. If your key is lock inside your car, we mentioned above about the articles we made. Check them out. Lastly, please take care of your keys. You would not want to experience the headache of losing and replacing car keys.

07 Dec
Uncategorized

What To Do if I Locked My Car Keys in the Boot of My Car?

Locking your own keys inside your car is one thing, keys locked in the boot is another. This is a common issue for drivers around the world. One moment you left your keys inside the boot to carry something off and the next moment you absentmindedly closed it, leaving your keys inside. If former articles talk about the eerie feeling of creeping dread when locking your keys inside your car, locking your keys inside the boot of your car is another monster entirely. Fortunately, there are several options for you to choose from to get your keys out of the boot, the only problem will be the amount of time to get the key out. Getting your keys off the boot of your car takes hours off your day. If you’re a very busy person, be prepared for what will happen.

Deadlock Feature

This is one reason why getting your keys locked in the boot of your car is a bad situation. This is a feature of most modern cars. Whenever a deadlock feature is engaged, it makes it very hard to open the doors of a car. Essentially, a deadlock centers on a feature where the inner door locks are disconnected from the locking mechanism. This makes manually opening cars a headache, you can only open your car with your key if this happens. This feature has a habit of happening when you remove your keys out of the ignition. If this happens, the only option now is to call for an auto locksmith. When calling for help, be specific about your situation. There are auto locksmiths who specialize in this type of situation.

Call Auto Locksmiths

This must be the first thing to do if you locked your keys in the boot. The boot of your car was built different, it was built to be a safe place to store items and to make theft nearly impossible. Be sure to call an auto locksmith, regular locksmiths can get inside your car through the door but getting inside your boot may need specialized people.  However, be prepared that this will be a long process. With modern car manufacturers creating cars to be more secure, it will a lengthy wait before they will get your boot open.

Boot Release Button

If somehow your car doors aren’t locked, you could use the boot release button inside the car. A feature that many modern vehicles have. The location of it varies from car to car however, generally, it is found on the driver’s side of the car.

If your car doesn’t have this feature, you may gain access to the boot of your car by folding your seats down and crawling in towards the boot.

Spare Key

Locking your key in is very stressful and in a very stressful situation, people tend to forget they have a spare. If you happen to have a spare key on hand, good for you. But, if your spare key is at home and you’re ways away from it, that may be a problem. If you’ve lost both you’re main and spare key, order a new one. This will not be a quick process, we talked about this in detail in a previous article, “Replacing Remote Car Keys“.

Boot Release Override

This an option for people with automotive experience. Use a battery, your car battery for instance, with the fuse box of your car to produce an electrical short that will unlock your boot. Searching this method online will show detailed information on how to do it. If you’re a visual learner, there are some videos with a step-by-step process on how to do it. Warning, this is only for people with automotive experience.

Break the Boot Lock

This option should be your last result. If you exhausted all possible remedies and if you’re in a hurry, this a quick yet expensive solution. You can either break the main lock or go through the back seats. Doing this might only take an hour or so, but in this hour a lot of damage can be done, and a lot of money can be wasted. Again, only use this option as a last resort.

Be Sure to Not Let This Happen

To make sure that this never happens is to always be mindful of where your keys are. Always check your pockets before opening and closing the boot. If not, always have a spare on hand. You can be creative on where you can place and hide your spare. If you left your spare inside the main body of the car and you left your main in the boot, you could break in the car first to take the spare and use it to unlock the boot. We’ve made an article on how to get inside a locked car, “How to Get Keys Out of Locked Car with Automatic Locks“. Please remember, locking your keys in the boot of your car is very different if you locked your keys in the main body of the car. With the information detailed above, be prepared that this will consume a lot of time and effort to solve this problem.

07 Dec
Uncategorized

Replacing Remote Car Keys

Everyday fate randomly chooses a person to play with, giving them a rough time. One normal act that fate does is to whisk away our car keys. Placing them in places we don’t expect to find or, in some cases, disappearing entirely. A sinking feeling of dread will be the first thing you will feel when they can’t find their key in their pockets. A different feeling of dread will be entirely felt when you realize your car key was inside the pocket of your coat you tossed into the washing machine. Losing or breaking a car key is a whole nightmare entirely, replacing one is an awful experience all in itself. 

Remote Key

We made a separate article on the costs of replacing keys and the types of keys. The article is, “Replacement Key Cost”. This time we will be focusing on remote car keys. By a press of a button, remote keys are designed to unlock a vehicle from a distance. This makes this type of key convenient and also popular. There are some remote keys that the remote itself is a separate piece, making it much easier to replace if only one of the pieces is damaged.

With traditional keys, it was easier to steal a car due to the level of security with old keys. Now, car manufacturers found a way to beef up a car’s security by creating remote keys that makes car theft much more difficult.

Lost/Stolen vs. Broken Car Key

Losing your key is much more of an expensive endeavor than breaking one. In terms of remote keys, the “remotes” themselves are sophisticated and far more complicated than an average key. The cost of replacement will depend on the amount of technology inside the remote, the more the amount, the higher the price. Also, stolen keys must always be reported to the authorities. You never know, your key might return.

A broken key is fortunately a cheaper situation to deal with. As stated above, there are some remote keys that the remote itself is a separate piece. If one piece of your remote key is broken, replacing that specific piece is much cheaper than replacing the whole key. If you have a much older remote key, you might not find an original replacement. This is due to older keys that might be discontinued, but don’t worry. For the remote piece of the key, aftermarket products could help you. The quality varies but they work well as the genuine versions. On the other hand, the key blade could be cut by a locksmith.

Costs

Generally, you will need to find a dealership that deals with new cars if your vehicle was built within the last five years. Due to the technology used for recent car keys, it is much safer to go to a car dealership. There are cheaper versions online, but you need them to be programmed, commonly by car dealerships. However, you don’t have to go to a dealership if you have a car that is 10 plus years older. Many of these less advanced car keys can be programmed by an auto locksmith, a mechanic, or even by the customer. If you want to go for a less expensive route, ordering aftermarket keys is a great alternative.

Replacing a key entirely, whether you are losing or getting it stolen, will cost anywhere from £200 – £600. However, this price range will only be applicable if you have a spare. Losing both keys and running to get a replacement will be more expensive. Dealerships will have to program the key and reprogram your vehicle’s computer. The price will likely reach about £3000. There are also hidden costs in replacing lost keys. An example if you’ve lost both main and spare keys, you’ll have to pay to tow your car back home or to a local dealership.

Replacing a broken key is less of a headache than replacing a lost or stolen key. Generally, locksmiths can easily replace broken keys for less than £200. This is for both key fob replacement and the newly cut key blade. 

Aftermarket Keys

Replacing both broken and lost keys are expensive. A good plan is to always have a spare. Dealerships usually give out two keys when purchasing a vehicle. If you lost one and you fear the costs stated above, you can save money by purchasing aftermarket keys. These keys’ quality varies but they generally get the job done like genuine keys. If you don’t want to go through this messy experience, give purchasing an aftermarket car key a thought. Also, please take care of your keys.

03 Dec
Uncategorized

How to Get Keys Out of Locked Car with Automatic Locks

There is nothing more frustrating and annoying than locking your own keys inside your car. Fortunately, there are ways for you to unlock your car without damaging the car’s door or hiring a professional to lockpick or duplicate your key.

WARNING: Tips and instructions of this article are only for emergencies. Car Keys with Ease does not promote nor condone car theft.

Locked Car Doors

The difficulty of opening lock car doors depends on the locks installed on the vehicle. Usually, cars with manual locks are much easier to unlock with long and flexible objects like a wire coat hanger. Manual locks are much easier to unlock due to the buttons, generally, manual lock buttons are bulkier and longer. A straightened hanger with a hook on the end can easily unlock the car door. Unfortunately, the buttons of automatic locks are smaller and smoother. There are still ways to unlock a car with automatic locks.

Car App

Up-to-date cars have an app to go along with it. Auto manufacturers provide a mobile application for you to remotely unlock your car’s door. You will need to register your vehicle to your account in the app for you to be able to use this feature. This is one innovative and modern way for you not to be locked out of your car again in the future. Other auto manufacturers app provides features that allow the app to remotely start or stop the car’s engine, activate lights, sound the horn, access maintenance info and some apps even immobilize a vehicle when stolen.

Wedge and a Long Tool

The tools seem a bit crude, yet still gets the job done. The method is to use the wedge to pry a space open without damaging the locks of the car and to use a long, skinny tool to push the lock button. A simple, basic yet effective strategy will get the job done. This will also be likely done by a locksmith or other professional if you plan to contact them. The difference is you don’t need to pay anything. 

  • Wedges: Anything that is thin and strong. A knife would do the trick. There are products that are used as “auto entry tools” like an inflatable wedge kit.
  • Long Tool: Anything long and flexible like a wire coat hanger.

Trunk Door

If the car in question doesn’t have a designated mobile app to go with it and the second option doesn’t work, gaining access through the trunk door is another method. If by any chance your trunk door is open, look inside for an emergency cord. After locating it, pull the cord and the roof of the trunk opens up, creating an opening for you to crawl inside. However, this is only when your trunk door is open or unlock. Car’s with automatic locks usually locks every door on the vehicle. Making this method unlikely yet still possible.

Professional Help

If the vehicle doesn’t have a mobile app, using the second method doesn’t yield a positive result, and the third method isn’t possible to do, the only option left is to call professional help. Calling emergency road assistance or a local locksmith will be a safer and probably better method. In the case of automatic locks, every key has a specific code. Providing this code to the locksmith with other personal information in relation with the vehicle will let the locksmith duplicate the key. Another way is to call your car dealer or a local one. Every car dealership has a spare key to unlock car doors, but this key does not start the car. Before doing this, the owner must have the necessary documents to show as proof that they own the car. The only downside of this is that you have to pay them to unlock your car. 

  • Police

Calling the police is another viable option, it is also wise to call them when your situation is particularly dire. However, if you don’t have a baby or an animal inside, it is better to call a hotline for non-emergencies rather than calling emergency services.

Spare Key

Losing your key or locking it inside your car is a massive headache. Having a spare is always a wise thing. In every dealership, a car purchased will always provide a pair of keys. If you lose one of them, don’t worry, you can always order another one. But, if that sounds expensive, you can order an aftermarket version. Car Keys with Ease provides various aftermarket keys for various cars and models. You can use the search bar or use the date search to specify which car do you own. We advocate to always have a spare key in hand, whether genuine or aftermarket. The quality of the products we provide is up to par with the genuine versions, providing a quality product for a lesser price.

03 Dec
Uncategorized

Replacement Key Cost

Car keys have an odd ability to disappear without a trace. It could be inside your pocket, on your living room table, or even underneath the couch and it will disappear completely. When realizing your keys are lost, a dreaded feeling creeps up your spine. Don’t worry, this eventually wears off. After it does, the definitive question comes to mind, how much do replacement keys cost?

Replacement keys can be costly, fortunately, there is an option you can do that may not cost a thing.

Car Insurance Policy

If you definitively can’t find your key, you may check your car insurance policy on lost or stolen keys. Some car insurance policies have key replacement as a standard in their car insurance policies. Other insurance policies need some additional payment for a replacement, usually lesser than the actually purchased key. Overall, it’s worth checking out your car insurance to see if this possible in your case.

If your insurance policy covers this, great! If it doesn’t, replacing it is your only option.

Cost of Car Key Replacements

Replacing keys can be a massive headache, the price ranges from £140 to £1000. The price varies as it depends on:

  • Make and Model of the Vehicle: Every car for every manufacturer utilizes different types of keys. These keys also depend on the car’s model, influencing the car key replacement cost.
  • Extra features: A general rule for purchasing any product is, “Extra features cost extra money.”
  • Location: Companies based on a specific place will charge more, e.g.: London.
  • Car Key: With varying keys, the price varies with the type of key. Commonly, keys with higher specifications are much more expensive than keys with lower specifications.

Types of Car Keys

  • Keyless entry: The face of modern keys. This convenient key works by sending radio signals to the car and unlocks the doors from afar. The signal sent isn’t just a signal by any means. The key sends a randomized code which the car’s computer receives and verifies, thus making this type of key a “smart key”. It isn’t a traditional car key in different ways. It is inserted in the dashboard of the vehicle or just stays in your pocket. Most cars with keyless entry keys just start the engine by pressing a button.
  • Remote keys: Like keyless entry keys, these keys are designed to unlock a vehicle by a press of a button. This makes them convenient and very popular. This type of key also needs to be programmed, generally by car dealerships. Some manuals show how to program it by yourself, or you could just search the internet. A present issue for this type of key is that the buttons may break and this key is generally more expensive to replace than basic keys. If you need a cheaper version of a remote key, you can purchase aftermarket versions. The quality may vary from the genuine version but they are less expensive.
  • Key with transponder chip: A much more secure version than a normal key. The transponder chips emit a signal that the ignition will receive. This signal has a unique code that the car will then authenticate. If the ignition detects the wrong code, the vehicle will not start. Like a remote key, keys with transponder chips must be programmed for the vehicle. A low-cost alternative is to purchase a spare key without a transponder chip, this will do the same thing as a key with a transponder chip except for starting the engine.
  • Flip/Switchblade key: This key is more compact and reduces the risk of the key scratching other items in a pocket or bag. The flip key has shafts that fold into the plastic shell when not in use and flips out with a press of a button. The components of the key, both the plastic shell and the shaft, can be purchased separately. Making it a bit cheaper to replace if only one of the components is damaged.

Best Way to Combat Disappearing Keys

The information above shows how today’s keys are expensive and the best strategy to win against disappearing keys is to have a spare. It is much more convenient to have a spare on hand currently rather than going through the trouble of finding the key and then running to get a replacement. If having a spare sound expensive don’t worry, you could order aftermarket products. The quality of these products varies; however, they are much cheaper and these car keys get the job done like the genuine versions.

Another reason to have a spare is due to the quality of modern keys. More cars require electronic keys rather than the old, traditional keys. Older keys are easier to replace but newer keys are not cheap. Losing an electronic key means that the car’s computer must be reprogrammed for the newly replaced key and that work costs more money. So, having a spare key is always a wise strategy.