"Replacing 'Smart Keys' Can Be Expensive" - Yes, but...
My response to yet another misinformative and incomplete article regarding transponder technology, and an urban legend or two... :)Hi (name of anchor removed because it wasn't his fault per se)...
I own a locksmith business in San Diego. I track locksmith articles around the country for our blog, and to help combat some of the misinformation that exists "out there" about locksmiths and what they do. :)
Thought I'd drop you a line to let you know about some concerns with your article: "Replacing 'Smart Keys' Can Be Expensive". Customers may be unduly frightened by a few misconceptions, and unduly gain some false hope by other points in the article, and I thought I'd clarify a few of those for you on the consumers behalf...
"...The cost of getting a new smart key can be $600 or more..."
I suppose it could somewhere, if the locksmith was highly unethical, but the average cost to create, code, & program transponder ("smart") keys ranges between $125.00 to $275.00 (total, including the cost of the keys), depending on the region of the country.
"...Keys to newer vehicles that have black tops most likely contain unique transponders..."
Not all transponder keys are black. Chrysler and GM both use gray tops for their transponders, many Focus transponder keys are clear or brightly colored, many transponders are hidden in "all-in-one" fobs that come in many colors, and most important, many black topped keys do not have transponder technology at all.
"...Toyota minivan, owners have to replace the keys and the ignition computer. That can cost up to $2,000..."
The whole $2000 ignition thing has become something of an urban legend at this point. To be sure, if Toyota thinks they can get away with it, they WILL charge this to a customer. But ignition or ignition chip board replacement is NOT needed to create new keys. Any locksmith with the right programming equipment can make keys to any Toyota. Ignition & chip board replacement was only needed some years ago when Toyotas key technology was proprietary, and they kept the business for themselves. Locksmiths have since been able to create equipment that bypasses this. It takes very expensive and specialized code cutting and programming equipment to do so, and not all locksmiths have these items, but some locksmith somewhere in your area should be able to help, without touching your ignition. :)
"...having a spare transponder key in a safe place. That can make it cheaper and easier to program new keys at a locksmith..."
In "some" cases. When purchasing transponder keys, you are not paying for the keys, you are paying for the skills, and the equipment required, to decipher, create, cut, code and program the keys. Some shops will definitely charge less for programming services alone. This is a "do your homework" type of issue however. Call more than one shop, make sure the shop knows you have your own blanks, and you want "duplicating & programming" only. Get several quotes, get a name, and hold them to it when you arrive.
"...looking on Ebay..."
See above.
"...At the dealer, it cost $46..."
Locksmith prices for blanks of any kind are nearly always less expensive than dealers. Similar situation to the stuffed dog toy at PetSmart that costs $15, while the same stuffed dog toy at WalMart costs $3.99. It's a "specialty" store kind of thing - "Specialty" stores always charge more because they can. :)
"...can even learn to program blank smart keys by themselves which also saves money. Owners would need an original key and directions to do that..."
In "some" rare cases, mostly some Ford models. Many makes and models require proprietary equipment to program any duplicate keys into vehicles. Many vehicles require 2 ORIGINAL (not previously duplicate) keys to program a new key, and even those are split between those requiring proprietary equipment, and "do it yourself" programming.
Please give a yell if any clarification is needed, or if you have further questions. We have been in this business for 18 years, have a very successful and well reviewed company in San Diego, and are an excellent resource should you need us. "We're not your normal locksmith company™." :)
Thanks in advance for your time and attention!
Sincerely,
Kim Dryden
