There’s no question that driving a Jeep Wrangler is an exhilarating experience. This is especially true when the roof is removed and the driver is negotiating some serious off-road terrain like a heavily forested two-track in New York State’s Adirondack Mountains, or the rugged hills and mountains of Utah, or the desert flats of Southern California.
But on occasion motorists can sometimes get caught up in all the fun and misplace the ignition key. Making matters worse, a forgetful and/or distracted Jeep driver might not have access to a spare key believing he or she would never be one of “those people” who lose their keys. The sad fact of the matter is that most drivers, at one point or another, will lose their keys.
Says Car Keys Pro, a car locksmith in Chicago, losing car keys is a stressful mistake, but it’s also an all too common mistake. Other times, damaged keys just plain won’t work. When that happens, motorists need to find a trustworthy mobile car key service that will come to the rescue. The service will help a driver gain access to his or her Jeep in no time by creating a fully functional and properly programmed replacement key.
Replacing Missing Jeep Wrangler Keys
But apart from using a mobile car key service, where can a Jeep driver acquire a Jeep Wrangler replacement key? According to one recent report, there exists several options for replacing missing or damaged Jeep keys. The cost isn’t as high as one might assume either.
A replacement ignition key can be had for as low as $10-$15. But if a dealer is needed to cut and program a new key, it can cost upwards of $120-$250. Obviously, replacing the Jeep key depends a lot upon the driver’s specific circumstances.
If all that’s needed is a simple ignition spare with the key fob, a Jeep Wrangler key can be acquired at a local Home Depot or similar big box hardware store. This is said to be the cheapest option.
This is also an excellent option for those Jeep owners who still have your master key but are looking for a spare that can be stored in the glovebox. If a Jeep driver should find himself in the middle of the woods and the master is nowhere to be found, a spare key stored in the glovebox can save the day.
Buying an ignition key minus a fob is the least costly option. The cost will range anywhere from $5-$15 at hardware store. The hardware store will also cut the key, making the experience quick and convenient.
If sticking to a budget is paramount, a Jeep owner can purchase an ignition key replacement without much of a problem. However, if the Jeep Wrangler is a new model, a key that contains a chip will be required.
Because of the technology involved, a chip key is more expensive than a simple ignition key replacement. Therefore, Jeep owners need to be aware of the make and model of their Jeep Wrangler prior to purchasing a new key.
The cost for ignition key replacement with the chip can vary, but Jeep owners can expect to pay anywhere from $30-$80, depending upon a locksmith and/or dealer getting involved in the process.
Surprisingly, ignition key and “keyless entry” key fob spare replacement is a relatively simple task. It can also be accomplished affordably. Most big box hardware stores should have a digital key tool handy that will tell them if they can provide this service. But it’s best is the Jeep Wrangler owner calls ahead of time with the make and model of their Jeep to see if the store can help.
The least expensive way to get ahold of a key and key fob is to order it online and then have it programmed at a hardware store. This should cost drivers somewhere in the vicinity of $100. However, if the driver needs to go to the dealer to have it programmed, it will cost you upwards of $250. This is especially true for newer Jeep Wrangler models that rely on chip technology.
If the master key is missing, the Jeep dealer will have no choice but to create a new key mold for building a brand-new ignition key. This is an expensive process. It’s entirely possible however, that the Jeep owner can order a less costly blank-chipped “third party key fob” and then have the local dealer do the programming. This will cost a Jeep Wrangler owner around $100, plus the cost of the blank key.