Eventually, vehicle owners may be faced with the requirement to have it rekeyed. Why is this process required and what are the average costs related to this issue?
What Does It Mean to Rekey a Car?
Keys are crafted or programmed uniquely for unlocking a specific car, meaning you can’t just get a new one any time it gets lost, stolen or damaged. Rather, drivers are going to need to have their vehicle rekeyed, which makes it congruent with a new set.
Basically, rekeying a car is in reference to the modification of the internal components of the lock. The components comprise of the wafers, disks, and sliders. These are going to be repositioned to be congruent with a replacement key.
This method takes the place of a total vehicle lock replacement, at the end of the day, making your previous key worthless. Following the lock being reconfigured, you are going to be given a new set of keys to unlock and start your vehicle. Regrettably, when the lock itself is damaged, the rekeying process is not going suffice. If this happens, you are going to require a total lock replacement.
How Much Does It Cost to Rekey a Car?
The cost for a total rekey of a car is going to vary subject to type of key, provider of service, and location. There are two types of rekeying that can be carried out with a car: ignition and their door locks. Ignition rekeying enables drivers to turn the vehicle on with a different key. Typically, this is carried out when a key that was lost, damaged, or possibly stolen.
Each rekeying kind is going to come with a different cost, with ignition rekeying usually the costliest option. This is because of the fact that ignition cylinders are costly on their own.
At the same time, rekeying a car’s door locks is going to be generally less costly. Prices are going to depend on a couple of aspects, like vehicle make, model, how old it is, required equipment, and a transponder, if required. The complete cost to rekey a car is around $70-$180.
The following are costs related to rekeying a car’s door locks:
- Lowest Cost $70
- Average Cost $125
- Highest Cost $180
When To Your Car Rekeyed
If you’ve lost both your key and your spare, having your car rekeyed is only solution to keep driving it. It is additionally a good idea to rekey your car if you think your keys were stolen. A lot of drivers simply decide to rekey a car because of the added security it provides.
For drivers of used cars, it’s always wise to rekey the car because there could be a spare key in circulation someplace. If the key is damaged, rekeying is the ideal way to go. Whereas you may wish to try to fix the key, this may result in broken car locks that turn out to be quite expensive to repair.
Rekey your car in the following circumstances:
- Keys are lost.
- Keys are stolen.
- Keys are damaged.
Conclusion
The costs related to rekeying your car are somewhat low, particularly when considering the inconvenience of the matter. To avoid any potential issues, rekeying your car can be a solid investment.
*These are cost estimates as reported by Treads. Contact the professionals at Heath’s Auto Service for additional information!
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If you’re looking for reliable, professional auto repair near Flagstaff, Heath’s Auto Service is here to provide expert care. Whether you are planning a road trip or buying a used vehicle, our detailed inspections will help drivers avoid costly surprises. Our technicians have the tools and expertise to handle your vehicle with precision and care.