How to Reduce Your Saab Key Replacement Cost You can save a lot of money by having a spare key manufactured before you lose the one you have. It's generally 2X-10X more expensive to make a new key when you are down to just one. It's easy, cheap and easy to replace the battery in your SAAB 9-3 remote. Here's how. Cost of a Key Replacement The 03-11 SAAB 9-3 is a fantastic car however its ignition key is susceptible to wear down. The case can become sticky and the buttons can be pushed out, which can be a huge hassle when you're driving around. It's important to change your key fob promptly whenever you notice any problems. This can save you a lot of money over the long term, and it's also better than putting off the task. Replacing the SAAB key fob is not too difficult, and you can do it yourself for less than $100. You'll need a replacement shell for your key fob that will work with your vehicle and a new battery. You'll need to open up the case of your current SAAB 9-3 key fob, and then carefully take out the electronics to give the opportunity to replace the battery. After this is done, you can easily fit the new battery and then reconnect the key fob to your car. SAAB keys that have remote start systems require particular attention, as they contain transponders that need to be programmed for your specific vehicle. You'll need the dealer-grade Tech 2 tool or its equivalent for your Saab model to do this. This tool can analyze the codes from your keys, and use the information to program a new key. If you don't have a spare key available, this process is a bit more involved and may cost as much as $500 from the dealer. It is an excellent idea to find locksmiths who work with Saabs. They will be able of making you an entirely new key at a much cheaper price than the dealer. They can also do other services, like key duplication and replacement which means you'll have a spare car key in the event that yours gets lost or damaged. Most European cars manufactured after 2000 are equipped with immobilizer systems that depend on a microchip incorporated into the key to begin and recognize the car. This is the reason these kinds of keys are typically more expensive to duplicate than those without a chip. There are exceptions. VATS keys, for example (which are mechanical, with a resistor inside) don't require programming and can be duplicated relatively inexpensively. Most BMWs, Mercedes and Porsches built after 2000 will require a dealer to assist with key duplicates. This is because the manufacturers don't allow their dealers to participate in NASTF, which is the organization which makes the tools other locksmiths for automobiles use to make keys to replace for their customers. Cost of Replacement Remote It is crucial to have an extra remote or key if you have a Saab with keyless entry. You can use it in the event that your original key gets lost or breaks. If you have insurance that covers key add-ons this can help reduce the cost of replacing a remote. The majority of car keys manufactured after 2000 are programmed by the dealer or locksmith. Most of the time, these keys are stored in a tiny EEPROM chip that can only be read by a specific computer designed specifically for this purpose. This means that if you require a new key for your car, you will need to go to the dealer. The good thing is that the dealership will not charge you the same amount as a locksmith. The Saab 9-3 is a beautiful car and there are many of them still in operation all over the world. The ignition key is probably the biggest problem with these cars. The key is small and poorly designed, and can easily fall out or become stuck. Many people have found themselves without a functioning key within a few years after purchasing their vehicle. Luckily, you can obtain an additional key for your SAAB and it can be done fairly quickly. The first thing to do is to remove the emergency key from the SAAB 9-3. It's a simple job you can perform yourself, and you don't require any tools. You should be careful, though as if you press it too hard, you might harm the electronics inside it. In the meantime, you'll be required to find a retailer that offers an OEM replacement keycase for your SAAB. It is possible that you won't be able to find these cases readily, but if you know where look, you should have no trouble finding one. Once you've found a new key case, you will require it to be cut and programmable to your car. The process of obtaining an additional key for your SAAB isn't cheap, but it is definitely worth it in the end. It's cheaper and faster than having replace the entire vehicle. If you only have one key working it's best to replace it as quickly as you can. https://www.thekeylab.co.uk/saab-car-keys/ know when you're likely to lose it and this could lead to many frustrations and expense.