Gaucho KeysThe 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 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 an emergency. 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 from 2000 and newer, 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 Saint Paul, Headingley, Stony Mountain and Oakbank. 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.
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.
Need a car key, fob or lockout in Winnipeg?
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