Quick answer: a spare car key saves you from an expensive, stressful lockout, and making a spare car key now costs far less than an emergency replacement later. This guide covers the car key types, what a spare car key costs, and where to get one in Indianapolis.
Most drivers only think about a second car key after they lose the first one. By then, a simple spare has become a costly emergency car key replacement.
Why You Need a Spare Car Key
A spare car key is cheap insurance. If you lose your only key or lock it in the car, a spare turns a bad day into a minor one.
Making a spare car key while you still have a working key is much cheaper. When a locksmith has your original key to copy, the job is fast and the cost is low.
Lose the last key and the price jumps, because the locksmith must make a car key from scratch and program it to the car. A spare car key made today avoids that. Reputable auto locksmiths register with NASTF, which lets them securely pull the key and immobilizer codes a modern car needs to start.
Types of Car Keys
The car key type sets the price of a spare. Here are the common car key types on the road today.
Traditional Car Keys
Traditional car keys are simple metal keys with no chip. They are typically seen in cars made before the 1990s, and a spare is cheap to cut.
Transponder Keys
A transponder key has a microchip in the head for security. Modern vehicles use an immobilizer that must recognize the key's electronic ID before the engine will start.
Key Fobs
A basic key fob controls the doors and alarm but does not start the engine. Key fobs became popular in the 1990s for keyless entry, and a spare fob must be programmed to the car.
Smart Keys
A smart key allows keyless entry and keyless ignition in modern vehicles. Smart keys use heavy encryption, so a spare smart key needs professional programming.
Switchblade Keys
A switchblade key combines a key fob with a retractable key that folds into the fob. A spare switchblade key costs more than a plain key because it holds a chip.
What a Spare Car Key Costs
The cost of a spare car key depends on the key type. Here are typical prices to make a spare.
Replacing a basic metal key costs as little as $10. A transponder key typically costs around $200 to replace, and a switchblade key can cost about $300.
A key fob ranges from $50 to $100 depending on the model. A smart key replacement can cost up to $500 for a luxury vehicle. Making a spare while you still have a working key keeps every price at the low end.
A dealership charges more to replace a car key than a locksmith. To replace a lost key with no spare, the dealer may tow the car before they program and cut a new key, and that adds up fast. A spare key fob or spare car key made ahead of time avoids the whole bill.
How a Spare Car Key Is Made and Programmed
Making a spare car key has two steps: cutting the blade and programming the chip. A locksmith does both on site.
Key cutting shapes the blade to match your car. For a chip key, the locksmith then programs the transponder so the immobilizer accepts it.
Programming a spare car key depends on the vehicle make, model, and year. Some older transponder key models allow DIY setup if a working master key is available, using an ignition-cycling method.
Newer cars generally require specialized diagnostic tools and an OBD2 port to program the key. Some key systems also require a security PIN or manufacturer authorization, which a professional locksmith can handle.
Where to Get a Spare Car Key in Indianapolis
You have a few options for getting a spare car key made. The best options are a locksmith or the dealership, with a hardware store only for basic metal keys.
An automotive locksmith is usually the fastest and cheapest choice. A mobile locksmith comes to you, cuts the key, and programs it at your car, no tow needed.
A dealership can make any key for the brand it sells, but it costs more and you may wait days for the part. A hardware store can only copy a basic key with no chip.
Any locksmith or dealer will ask you to provide proof of ownership before making a car key, so bring your ID and registration. Chief of Locks makes spare car keys across Indianapolis. Call (317) 671-7873.
When to Make a Spare Car Key
The best time to make a spare car key is before you need it. Do it when you buy a car, when you have only one key fob, or when the key shows wear.
Families that share a car should each carry a key. A second key fob means no one is ever stranded, and you avoid the high cost to replace a lost key later.
If your only key is a smart key or transponder key, a spare is even more valuable. Those keys are the most expensive to replace and program from scratch, so a spare car key you cut today is real savings. You can confirm your vehicle details with the National Insurance Crime Bureau free VIN check. Kelley Blue Book publishes typical car key and fob replacement costs you can compare against a locksmith quote.