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Automotive

Why Does A Volkswagen Key Cost So Much?

Last updated on April 25, 2019 By B. Ray

Where did Volkswagen come from?

By 1937, Adolf Hitler had already been in power for four years… (Wait what Adolf??? Just bear with me…) and he was already working on his political goals with the National Socialist German Workers’ Party—more widely known as the Nazi Party. During this time, Hitler was hard at work on one of his major promises to build more roads and highways to better connect Germany as a whole.

But, along with this major project, he also had a different, smaller goal: to create and mass produce an affordable, fast car that could be purchased for around 1,000 Reich marks—which translated to around $140 at that time. This led to the creation of the state-owned car company Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH—which was later shortened to Volkswagenwerk, which meant “The People’s Car”—on May 28, 1937.

Today, we know the company simply as Volkswagen, one of the most popular car brands in the world.

Because Volkswagen was a state-owned company, run by the German Labor Front, a Nazi Organization, in the city of Wolfsburg. Although it was created in 1937 it was not until the following year that, at a Nazi gathering, Hitler declared that the first “people’s car,” the KdF (Kraft-durch-Freude)-Wagen, had been built; giving people an answer to their automobile needs and desires.

But, the car still was not displayed publicly until the 1939 Berlin Motor Show—the very same year that the Second World War broke out. As a result, just as quickly as production had started, it came to a screeching halt. It was not until the war had ended that the Allied forces would work to help Volkswagen rebuild and revive the German car-making industry.

Since then, Volkswagen has worked tirelessly to create new, innovative cars that are available worldwide. With technological advances constantly being made, the new Volkswagen cars are nothing like the original KdF—and they certainly are not as cheap. Now, even the key that you use to unlock your Volkswagen can cost you, should you have to replace it.

What the key is made of

Back in the day when you lost your keys, all you had to do was go to the locksmith and get a new one made for a couple of dollars. But, these days, thanks to new and more advanced security features, that is no longer possible, especially for your Volkswagen key.

This is because all Volkswagen cars—and most new cars—come with something called an immobilizer, which is a special piece of technology in the key that helps to prevent your car from being stolen. Altogether, a whole new Volkswagen key can cost upwards of $300 to replace.

The Shell is the Cheapest Part of It

Like with everything, there is a breakdown in the cost of your replacement Volkswagen key. The plastic shell that encases the immobilizer, for example, is cheap compared to the rest of the key. These shells only cost a couple of dollars and help to protect and cover the more expensive part of the actual key.

The Immobilizer is Where the True Cost Is

It is when you start to look at the immobilizer where the cost of a replacement Volkswagen key starts to go up. The immobilizer, as mentioned before, is a sort of anti-theft system integrated into new car models. It consists of a special chip called a transponder.

When the key is put into the ignition, something called a reader coil will read the transponder to ensure it matches the system. If it does, the car will be able to start and you can go about your drive. If not, the car will not start and will also shut itself down, preventing you—or a potential car thief—from doing anything.

Moreover, now that cars have keyless entry, the immobilizer is even more important, because if the key is not recognized, you will not even be able to enter the car, adding a further level of protection.

You cannot just go to your local AutoZone for a replacement immobilizer. To get this, you have to have to go to the dealership or a reputable third-party service. They will then help you to make the key and program it, using your car’s specific key codes.

This process has to be done with each and car every key that is made, which is part of why it can cost so much more.

The Key is Laser-Cut for Your Car

The final factor in your Volkswagen key pricing is the fact that it is laser cut specifically for your car. Laser-cut keys, unlike ordinary keys, are cut using special lasers, which make them thicker and slightly less grooved.

The machines used to cut these keys tend to be very expensive and would be more difficult to find at an ordinary locksmith, leaving you with fewer options on where to go. If you cannot find a certified locksmith that offers laser-cut key services, then your only option will be to go directly to the car dealership.

But, again, if your car key is one with an immobilizer, then your only real option is to go directly to the dealership or legal third-party who has access to the tools required to activate the immobilizer.

Specifications

While it may sound ridiculous to have to pay so much just to replace a single car key, all the added safety benefits make it truly worth your while. This is especially true when you consider the immobilizer and transponder and the way that they can help prevent your car from being stolen.

If you really like the idea of your car having extra security without having an actual, loud alarm system, then a key with an immobilizer and laser-cut design is well worth considering. Of course, nowadays, most new cars on the market make use of this technology to some extent, so regardless of it being a Volkswagen key or not, you will likely have to spend a pretty penny in order to replace it.

In the long run, however, you will have the peace of mind that, without that special designed key and immobilizer, nobody will be able to get into or take your car. In fact, it has been proven effective in preventing car thefts since more car makers—Volkswagen included—began implementing this technology.

Summary

There you have it, the reason behind the crazy cost of your Volkswagen keys. Of course, if you have an older model, you may not have to spend as much since the technology may not be as advanced. But, for keys of the newer models of Volkswagen cars, you will spend upwards of $300 to replace them. The shell of the key is not worth very much at all; what you are really paying for when you replace your Volkswagen key is the laser-cut design, coupled with the presence of the immobilizer technology.

As much as it may hurt to have to pay so much to replace your Volkswagen key, you should be grateful for the added protection it offers. So, if you want to avoid having to pay that price, be sure to never lose your keys!

Filed Under: Automotive

Best WRX Suspension Upgrades

Best WRX suspension upgrades

Best WRX Suspension Upgrades

Looking for the best WRX suspension upgrades?  What suspension to put under your WRX is critical in how that car will perform, handle and ride?  Suspension parts include things like shocks and springs, coil overs, sway bars, bushings, chassis braces, end links and so much more.

The list is really endless and what you want to do with these suspension upgrades has a lot to do with their performance.  Are you looking for a lower center of gravity?  Reduce ride height?  Improve the weight transfer rates?  The ultimate goal is to have a more precise and better handling overall.

I personally have used Tein. They are well built and they are rebuild-able. Check some out here.

The sole purpose of the best WRX suspension upgrades is to maximize the traction and keep the tires working in optimal conditions.  These best WRX suspension upgrades can translate into more power.

Where the best power comes in when you can finely tune the suspension to have the maximum effect on the transfer of the downforce to the tires.  Any upgrade will help gain in the car moving forward, increased control in the curves and corners, and more effective braking.

This is very important when trying to race in various conditions and the point to the Best WRX suspension upgrades.

Getting traction with the Best WRX suspension upgrades

Aerodynamic performance is very much affected with suspension upgrades as well.  With the best WRX suspension upgrades, you are trying to get the best traction on the tires.  As the downforce pushes on the suspension you will find the car handling better and having better performance in Acceleration, Corner and Braking capacities.  Spring rates are great will need to be finely tuned to prevent the car from bottoming out.

Parts for the best WRX Suspension upgrades

For better cornering and control check out your sway bars.  Anti-roll bars for the aftermarket are there to help you adjust the handling of the car’s ability to make tight corners without rolling the car.  These are typically made in a U shape and will twist to prevent the car’s tendency to roll when taking tight corners.  It adjusts the suspension of that car to ensure the car is rolling on its wheels and not it’s hood.

An overlooked component of the suspension system is the bushes and bushings.  These small components seem a bit useless; however, their job is very important.  They are there to reduce the vibration of the components under the car.  This vibration and noise that is transferred from the road to the car over time wear out.  This can cause less than optimal performance of the suspension system.

Best WRX suspension upgrades for Better Control

Suspension coil overs were brought the car industry from the motocross world.  These bad boys are fully customizable to offer the best performance for your WRX.  It is, however, recommended that coilovers are professionally installed for the maximum benefit.  With these, it is possible to adjust the ride height, stiffness, center of gravity and so much more.  A coil over is a term that refers to a shock absorber wrapped in a coil spring.

These come to offer a completely adjustable solution to the complex suspension that has to work over a variety of surfaces, speeds, and conditions.  Having these professionally installed, the pros will do the corner weighting for you. This is a technique that will test that you have the weight diagonally from back to front.  During the manufacturing process, corner weighting is done at the plant.  However, after messing with the WRX suspension this will have to be done again.  This has to be done if anything inside the car or engine is changed as well, which will make a weight shift.  In racing cars, the entire body can be messed with to make the cornering balance.  However, in road cars, the spare time and battery are usually the two components that play in the most.

Sports Spring and Dampers – The Best WRX Suspension Upgrades

Any car that is built for the track will need to look at their sports spring and dampers.  However, they can get great for the road fast guys as well.   These non-adjustable components are made to lower the car and offer firmer and sportier suspension.  And, like most other components, the more you pay the more you get.  These are more cost-effective than the coil over options.  However, if you’re looking for the best WRX suspension parts and components, they are worth mentioning.

Strut braces for the Best WRX Suspension Upgrades

Improve and stabilize your handling of the WRX with Strut Braces.  These are normally built from Stainless steel but come in a variety of materials as well.  These are used to ensure the constant relationship between all the suspension components keeping your car cornering at it’s best.  A suspension can wonder from time to time with suspension modifications.  The Strut brace is made to structurally twist to handle these loads and to take the pressure of the suspension components that’s why they make the Best WRX Suspension Upgrades list.

Tires and Wheels for the Best WRX suspension Upgrades are Next!

Coming up last but not least in the best WRX suspension upgrade options are tires.  The right tires and wheels for the application you are looking for your WRX will make a difference as well.  You want the size of the tires to be just big enough to fill out the wheel wells, but not so big they cause issues.  Try to get as wide and low as you can go for your tires and wheels.  Ensure that there will be no rubbing of the tires when rolling down the road or track.  Just changing the tires can make a huge difference in the handling of the car.  Throw some other suspension upgrades and you’ll feel like you have a brand new car, or better!

Best WRX suspension upgrades come in a variety of options.  Choosing what will work for your level of performance and the specific car will be up to you.  Clearly, there are a vast amount of options for your best WRX suspension Upgrades and some have been pointed out here.  There is a nice selection of various components that will offer you and your ride the maximum power and suspension.  What is your best WRX suspension upgrades solution?

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