A good locksmith can take care of the replacement of your car keys and key fob. A locksmith can program your new key fob and make any keys you need. A qualified locksmith has all of a car dealership's expertise while also understanding how important your safety is.
How Much Does It Cost to Reprogram a Key Fob? Several factors determine the cost to reprogram a fob. While it's hard to give a universal estimate, the general cost is between $50 and $250 for reprogramming.
Many locksmiths can cut and program a key for about half the cost of a dealership replacement. Some dealers even utilize the services of outside locksmiths for replacement keys. An experienced locksmith will be able to make a replacement key for you even if you do not have the original.
Programming can take anywhere from 2 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the type of vehicle. This almost always has to be done by your local car locksmith or dealership. Some vehicles can be programmed “on-board, which means anyone can do it if they follow a special programming procedure.
AutoZone provides a variety of key fobs that work for most vehicle makes, and they will help you match and program your fob to your car.
Home Depot sells a variety of key fobs ranging from $12 to $240. They carry fobs for a variety of vehicle makes such as Toyota, Ford, GM, Honda, Chrysler, and others. However, Home Depot does not provide a programming service for key fobs.
You can find the right key fob for your car at many locations, and an associate will help you program it to your vehicle as well.
Some older model vehicles have self programming key fob instructions, while most newer vehicles require a professional to program to your vehicle. There are many businesses that offer professional automotive key programming that include dealerships, auto repair shops, and locksmiths.
Transponder Keys
They are a combination of the mechanical key, but with a transponder in the key head. The transponder links up with the vehicle and confirms the key is a valid one. This two-step process adds cost to replacing the key, as the transponder needs to be replaced and programmed as well.
Some Walmart locations can copy many vehicle keys, including transponder keys. The price can range between $23 and $330 depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. Transponder keys can take up to 7 minutes to program.
Smart key fobs can be tricky to replace. If you don't have an extra key, you'll likely need to get a replacement at a dealership and provide proof of ownership, according to Carfax. The dealership will then program a new key to work with your car.
If you want a key fob and switchblade key, you'll need to get your car to the dealership and order a replacement directly from them. If you don't care about the switchblade key feature, an automotive locksmith might be able to make you a replacement key, and you can order a separate key fob later.
Your key is a FOBIK, a FOB, which is also an Integrated Key(IK) that is not a metal key but fits into the ignition like a key. These cannot be programmed by the car owner and need a specific key programming tool that only dealerships or locksmiths will have.
Luckily, even if you have to go to a dealer, it's not a lengthy process. 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.
Since you already have a (master) key you can use, manufacturers assume you own the vehicle and make the process quick and easy. Note that some manufacturers require two keys to use this method, in which case it's only useful for making a third key.
How Long Do Key Fobs Last? As with any battery, the one in your car's fob or remote will occasionally need to be replaced. Typically, a car fob battery should last between three and four years.
Key fobs are used for push-to-start vehicles. When purchasing an aftermarket car fob, you must confirm that it is compatible with your car's make and model. You may come across unbranded aftermarket car keys. While there is a slim chance they will work, it is best to avoid them.
Yes, you can take a used key fob and reprogram it for your car. You will need to have the key fob programmed by a professional, but it is possible. The key fob reprogramming process will vary depending on the make and model of your car.
How do I get a new key fob? Do you have a still working key fob? If you do not you will have get your vin, call your local dealer of that car, give them your vin, confirm they have a key fob, and then set up to have the car towed there so they can plug into it and program the new key fob (in most cases).
All key fobs need to be programmed. Some dealerships will do it for free, while others will charge a half-hour to an hour of labor. But there is a way around this fee. Most key fobs can be programmed with a specific combination of button presses on the remote and key turns in the ignition.
You could reprogram a key fob to a different vehicle as long as the key is the same for the vehicle. In this case, if the key can go into the doors and unlock them, then you would need to do the following: Remove the battery from the key fob and put it back in (unless you put in a new battery)
Before you even buy an aftermarket fob, call the dealership/locksmiths in your area to see if they will program an aftermarket fob and how much it will cost. Some will do it and some won't. Ask what they will do if they can't get your fob to work.
Although the original key fob must be active for duplication, most key fobs are easy to copy. With the low price of getting a duplicate fob, people may opt to get their fob copied elsewhere rather than asking management for a second copy.