Automotive Transponder Keys

With many make and model vehicles technology in recent years, replacing a key will cost more than what it use to be in the 80's, 90' and beforehand. Nowadays, if you need a new key made for your newish vehicle, a charge in the dealership can start at $200 and go up from there. The factor of the highest cost is not the actual cutting of the key, but the programming itself. All vehicles today are equipped with a transponder type system which require programming the key to work with the vehicle.

It seem however, that many locksmith companies will not only charge less to make a key and program it than the dealer, but also will come to you making it on the spot unlike a dealership where you may need to get your car towed there. Most of the locksmith companies in the area will have similar equipment to what the dealer has in order to make and program the key but will still charge significantly less.

Because keys for most make and model nowadays are very expensive, many people will try to go on a different route and order the keys online. However, each particular key will have a unique chip that intended to work only with a particular vehicle. Because of that, many dealerships and locksmith companies will not agree to program a key they did not supply or came from a reliable source only because they will not want to be liable in case of a malfunction. In order to have the correct key for a vehicle, a dealership or an automotive locksmith technician will need information such as exact make and model and the VIN number.

For more information about automotive transponder keys, contact NorthWest Locksmith Portland.