If you find yourself locked outside your Lexus with a dead key fob in your hand, don't panic, since there is a way to save the situation ...

If you're looking to pick up a new key fob, or repair one, you might wonder how long programming it takes and whether or not you can do it yourself.

While Toyota and Lexus vehicles seem to be targeted most often, it’s likely any vehicle with a key fob could be broken into using this system.

Most dealers we contacted said key-fob programming typically takes just 15-30 minutes, and the whole process, including cutting the mechanical spare key, rarely takes longer than an hour.

In this primer on how to replace a car key fob, Consumer Reports says getting another high-tech key fob can be a pricey proposition.