It may be surprising to learn that even car dealerships will sometimes have to call a locksmith to cut and program your new key fob. Some cars are even equipped with security features that can only be bypassed by professionals or you could risk immobilizing your vehicle.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Luckily, there is a more economical and expedited alternative—you can call a locksmith. 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.
Does AutoZone make transponder keys? Around 75% of the cars on the road today have a chip in the key, and that's a little more complicated for duplicating a key. However, AutoZone is able to duplicate most transponder keys, avoiding that expensive trip to the dealership.
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.
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.
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.
“If you have a car that's 10 years or older, it's more likely you will be able to use an aftermarket key fob,” says CR's Ibbotson. “Many of these less advanced fobs can be programmed by a local mechanic, an automotive locksmith, or the customer.”
AutoZone and many of the other big box auto parts retailers do have car remotes and key fobs to sell. They come with instructions to self-program those remotes in. Some stores will help you with that programming.
This usually happens because of low batteries, but shock can also cause the fob to lose its pairing. Most remotes can be reset, so check your car's user manual for the resetting sequence.
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.
O'Reilly Auto Parts sells key fobs for almost all makes and models of new vehicles. You can browse their extensive stock and order one for your vehicle online. They can also reprogram a remote keyless entry system. O'Reilly Auto Parts also sells replacement fob batteries and cases for many vehicle models.
Although Lowe's can help you duplicate your car keys used to unlock doors manually, it does not have the technology to duplicate the chip-enabled keys that have become very common in modern vehicles. Lowe's does sell automated key fob bases, but you will still need to visit your car dealership to get them enabled.
Unfortunately, Walmart is not among those places that could replace transponder keys. Ideally, Walmart provides an easy way to replicate car keys, and if you have an older vehicle, this is the place to be for duplicating.
A handful of manufacturers will allow you to program a single key, even if you don't have a key that works. Keep in mind that you'll still need to have the key cut to fit the ignition, which means you'll need to provide proof of ownership to a locksmith.
The owner of a car can program some key chips by following detailed instructions found in the owner's manual or online. Other automobile key chips, however, might need specialized tools and the help of a professional locksmith or dealership.
To program your keyless-entry remote, press and hold the "LOCK" and "UNLOCK" buttons on the key fob simultaneously until the locks cycle once more. This could take up to 30 seconds, so be patient.