How to Reduce Your Saab Key Replacement Cost
You can save lots of money by having a spare key made before you lose your first one. If you have only one key, it's 2X-10X as costly to make an original one.
Change the battery on your SAAB 9-3 key fob is simple and inexpensive to do yourself. Here's how.
Cost of Replacement Key
The SAAB 9-3 03-11 is an excellent vehicle but the ignition key is prone to wear out. The case may become sticky and the buttons can fall out, and this could be a major hassle while driving. It's important to replace your key fob right away when you notice any issues. This could save you lots of money in the end as well as being more effective than waiting.
Replacing a SAAB key fob is not too difficult, and you can do it yourself for around $100. You'll need a new key fob case that will work with your vehicle and a new battery. You'll have to open the case of your old SAAB 9-3 key fob and carefully remove the electronics to give you the opportunity to replace the battery. Once you've completed this, you can easily fit the new battery into place and then resynchronize the key fob with your car.
SAAB keys that have remote start systems require special attention since they come with an electronic transponder that needs to be programmed to match your specific vehicle. To accomplish this, you'll need a dealer-grade device called the Tech 2 or the equivalent for your specific model of Saab. This tool is able to analyze the codes from your existing keys and use this information to program your new key. If you don't have a spare key available, this procedure is more complicated and could cost up to $500 from the dealer.
It is an excellent idea to find locksmiths who work with Saabs. These professionals can make you a key for a lower cost than a dealer. They also offer other services, like key replacement and duplicates, to ensure that you have an additional key in the event yours gets damaged or lost.
The majority of European cars made after 2000 have immobilizers that use a chip integrated into the key to identify and start your vehicle. These keys are more expensive to duplicate because they contain chips. However, there are exceptions. For instance, VATS keys (which are mechanical but contain a small resistor value inside) don't require programming and are relatively inexpensive to duplicate. However, most post-2000 BMWs, Mercedes, Porsches, and Saab vehicles will require dealers to duplicate their keys. This is because these brands do not permit their dealers to join NASTF which is the group which makes the tools other locksmiths for automobiles use to make keys replacements for their customers.
Cost of Replacement Remote
If you have a Saab vehicle that has keyless entry, it may be important to have a spare key or remote. It can be used in the event that the original key gets lost or breaks. If you have insurance that covers key add-ons this can help reduce the cost of a remote replacement.
The majority of car keys made after 2000 can be programmed by a dealer or locksmith. Most of the time, these keys are stored in a tiny EEPROM chip that can only be read by an appropriate computer specially designed for this purpose. If you need an additional key for your car, you'll have to visit the dealer. The good thing is that the dealer will charge you less than a locksmith.
Saab 9-3s are beautiful cars and a large number of are still in use today. The ignition key is the main problem for these cars. The key is very small and is not the most attractive design, and it's known to fall out or get stuck easily. Many have been without a functioning key within several years of purchasing their vehicle.
Luckily, it's possible to obtain an additional key for your SAAB and this can be done quickly. The first thing to do is to remove the emergency key from the SAAB 9-3. It's a simple procedure which you can complete yourself, and it does not require any tools at all. Be careful however, because if you push it too hard you could harm its electronic components.
You will then be required to find a retailer that sells an OEM replacement keycase for your SAAB. They can be difficult to find, but if you know where to look then you will be able to locate one quite easily. Once you've found a new key case, you will need to have it cut and programmed to your car.
It's not cheap to purchase a brand new SAAB key however, the expense is worth it. It's a lot cheaper than having to replace your entire vehicle. It also can save you a significant amount of time. If you only have one key working you should replace it as quickly as you can. www.thekeylab.co.uk don't know when it could be lost, which can result in a lot of frustration and cost.