Why Get a Spare Car Key Before You Lose Yours

The short answer: a spare car key is cheaper and far less stressful to make while you still have a working key in hand. Once you are locked out or your only key is lost, the same job becomes a last-minute replacement — more urgent and usually more expensive.

Spare now versus lost later

When you already have a working key, making a spare or duplicate is straightforward and starts from $160. If you lose your only key, that turns into a lost car key replacement, which starts from $200 and takes more work because there is no original to copy. Planning ahead simply costs less.

The real headache is timing

Keys never seem to go missing at a convenient moment. They disappear on a weekend, at the lake, or just as you are loading groceries in the cold. With a spare tucked away at home, a lost key is an inconvenience instead of a crisis. Without one, you are stuck waiting where you are until a replacement is made.

• A spare is quicker and cheaper than a from-scratch replacement
• You avoid being stranded with no way to start the car
• Two drivers in one household can each carry a key
• You have a backup if a fob battery or button finally gives out

Households and shared vehicles

If two people share a car, a single key gets passed back and forth and is easy to misplace. A second key means nobody is waiting on the other person, and there is always one at home if the other goes missing. It is one of those small things that quietly saves a lot of hassle.

How a spare gets made

For most vehicles, older cars included, a spare key needs both cutting and programming, because of the chip inside. Some makes and models are quick; others take more time and equipment, so the price can depend on the vehicle. Tell me your year, make and model and I will confirm what is involved and quote you up front.

I am a mobile locksmith, so I come to you anywhere in Winnipeg and the surrounding area, including Selkirk, Lockport, St. Andrews, West St. Paul, Headingley, Stony Mountain, Stonewall, Oakbank and Niverville. Inside Winnipeg there is no charge for the trip; outside the city, a travel fee is part of the all-in price I give you before I set out. Before I make the spare, I check your vehicle registration and matching photo ID as my standard procedure to confirm the vehicle is yours and keep everything legitimate. You pay only once the new key works, at a price we agree up front.

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek — two spare smart keys · more on my channel

Frequently asked questions

How much does a spare car key cost?

A spare or duplicate key starts from $160, but because most keys need programming, the exact price depends on your vehicle. Tell me your year, make and model and I will confirm and quote you up front before any work.

Is a spare cheaper than replacing a lost key?

Usually, yes. A spare made while you still have a working key starts from $160. A lost car key replacement starts from $200 and takes more work because there is no original to copy, so making a spare ahead of time saves money.

Do you make spares at my home or work?

Yes. I am a mobile locksmith and come to you at home, work or the roadside across Winnipeg and the surrounding area. I just check your registration and matching photo ID first as standard procedure before making the key.

Related

• Can a heavy keychain damage your key?
• Keys locked in the trunk? What to do
• Bought a used car? Get a spare key
• Get a spare before a road trip
• Make a spare before the deep freeze
• Lost your only car key? What to do
• Signs your car key is failing
• Lost car key replacement in Winnipeg
• Spare & duplicate car keys in Winnipeg
• Car lockout service in Winnipeg
• Key fob & remote programming in Winnipeg
• See my up-front pricing
• More articles on the Gaucho Keys blog