Truck keys are one of those parts of a truck that are all too often taken for granted. A seemingly small portion of a pickup that has nothing to do with payload, towing, or 4×4 prowess, but everything to do with its function. You never know how important that truck key fob is until it is misplaced, malfunctioning, or worse yet, stolen.
If you find yourself in need of a replacement key fob for your rig, it’s important to know how to get a fresh set in a jiffy.
Here are some steps you should take when considering truck key fob replacement.
If your key fob is not working, the first thing you should do is check the battery. Just like any other electronic device, battery power makes the magic happen, and over time it will eventually need to be replaced. Luckily, the batteries you require are readily available at most stores and even gas stations. Just make sure the replacement has a matching battery number!
If your truck key fob is missing, it can either be replaced in one of two ways:
1. Take your vehicle to a dealership that sells your make of truck or SUV
2. Calling an automotive locksmith
The first place that most people go for replacement key fobs is the dealership where they bought their truck. It makes sense too. They are the ones with all the information required for a new unit and can program it right there onsite.
Depending on the manufacturer of the vehicle, this may be your only option. Certain manufacturers embed a proprietary chip into the key fob that can only be reprogrammed at certain dealerships. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be quite pricey and may require ordering a fresh unit from the factory.
Calling a locksmith that specializes in automotive key fob replacement is another, far less expensive option. Furthermore, they will come to you, so you don’t have to worry about towing the vehicle or catching a ride somewhere.
Quick and easy, this method takes far less time than the dealership. Take companies like Auto Locksmiths for example. With their tools and experience, they can replace your missing key with one that meets your preferences, while keeping price and features in mind.
Another benefit of using an automotive locksmith is that they are typically available 24/7. No need for an appointment here. Just call when you need help and they’ll come to you so that you can truck on with whatever business you have to do while they work.
You can find out if your truck manufacturer will replace the remote or key fob if it is defective by checking its vehicle warranty. To do this, locate the warranty in your glove compartment, which has information on how to contact the manufacturer. If there is a fee for replacing the key, this will likely be listed as well.
Check with your insurance company to see if a missing, stolen, or defective key fob is covered. In most cases, they may only cover it if the truck itself was stolen along with the keys. So check with your insurer, because everyone’s policy is different.
Since a key fob is specifically programmed to a particular vehicle, replacing one requires some programming. For this fee you can expect to pay between $50-$100, depending on the type of vehicle of course. Key fobs for newer vehicles tend to cost a bit more than older model trucks due to the amount of tech packed into them.
No, the truck and its keys need to be in the same area to be programmed. Since it is essentially a remote for your truck, it makes sense that you can’t do much without both the key fob and truck present.
On average, you can expect to have a new key fob in your hand in around 30-minutes or so once programming starts. However, you will need to factor in an additional 30-minutes for paperwork, insurance mumbo-jumbo, and conversing with the technician. Still, that’s not too bad, especially if the automotive locksmith can come to you, and you get your new fob there on the spot.
So yes, getting your truck key fob problem solved quickly is “key.” No one likes waiting around all day in the service department at the dealership. Truck key fob replacement is not difficult or expensive. If yours has stopped working or been lost, don’t worry! You have replacement options at your disposal that will not cost a small fortune.