Replacing a Car Key Without the Original: A Guide by Prolocksmith Orlando

If you've lost your car key, it can be a stressful and expensive experience. But what if you don't have the original key to get a replacement?

Don't worry. With the right approach, you can get a new key for your car even without the original. In this blog post, we'll guide you on how to get a replacement car key without the original in simple steps.

Prolocksmith Orlando is your experienced locksmith for all the great Orlando areas and Jacksonville. With the biggest car key inventory in all Central Florida, we are proud to say we can make almost any car key in the market.

Step 1: Determine the Type of Key You Need

The first step in getting a replacement car key in Orlando without the original is to determine the type of key you need. There are three main types of car keys: traditional metal keys, transponder keys, and smart keys.

Traditional metal keys are the simplest type of car key. They don't have any electronic components and are only used to start the engine and open doors.

Transponder keys have a small electronic chip, also called a transponder chip, communicating with the car's engine control unit. These keys are designed to prevent theft by ensuring that only the correct key can start the engine.

Smart keys are the most advanced type of car key. You can use them to start the car. You can also use them to lock and unlock doors. Additionally, you can use them to open the trunk. The best part is that you don't need to remove the key from your pocket or purse.

Step 2: Contact Your Car Manufacturer or Dealer

If you know the type of key you need, your next step is to contact your car manufacturer or dealer. They will provide you with a replacement key, but it can be expensive, and you may have to wait a few days for the key to arrive.

If you have a transponder or smart key, you may need to provide proof of ownership for the car. This proof could be in the form of the registration or title. You will need to show this proof before the manufacturer or dealer will give you a new key.

Step 3: Contact an Auto Locksmith

You can contact an auto locksmith if you're looking for a faster and more affordable solution. Many auto locksmiths offer on-site car key replacement services and can provide you with a replacement key even if you don't have the original.

In Orlando, Florida, many locksmith companies specialize in on-site car key replacement services, and Prolocksmith Orlando is one of them. Our technicians carry with them all the necessary tools and virtually all types of keys, so helping you out with your lost car key will be a walk in the park.

Step 4: Provide the Locksmith with Your Car's Make, Model, and Year

When you contact an auto locksmith for a replacement car key, you must provide them with your car's make, model, and year. This information will allow the locksmith to determine the type of key you need and to check if they have the necessary equipment to make a replacement key on-site.

Sometimes it is also helpful to have the vehicle identification number of VIN at hand since that could facilitate the locksmith the job of identifying the correct type of key for your vehicle.

Step 5: Get a New Key Made and test it

Once the locksmith has the necessary information, we will send one of our skilled mobile locksmiths in Orlando and they will make a new key for your car. If you have a traditional metal key, the process is straightforward, and the locksmith should be able to make a replacement key for you on-site.

The process is slightly more complex if you have a transponder or smart key. The locksmith must program the new key to work with your car's engine control unit. This process usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.

Once the locksmith has made a new key for your car, testing it to ensure it works is essential.

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Car Key

The cost of replacing a car key without the original depends on several factors, such as the type of key, the make, and model of your car, and where you get the key made.

Car Keys Cost is hard to assess without the locksmith technicians being on-site to evaluate further but also, the prices between the car dealership and automotive locksmiths tend to vary.

Replacement costs for traditional metal keys can range from $50 to $200, while transponder and smart key replacements can cost anywhere from $100 to $500.

Keyless entry and key fobs demand a on-site evaluation from the techs since other factors come to play with these types of keys.