Inspired by the just-resurrected 2011 thread on lost car keys: Most (all?) new cars now have the microchip-encoded keys that the dealer wants many hundreds of dollars to duplicate.
Are there any third-party services that can make replacements for this kind of key without charging an entire arm and leg?
Not always true.
We were told by every locksmith in the area, plus the major stores with keymakers in them, that it’s basically a patented code that sure, they could purchase from the dealership, but the price would be the same or more. Though perhaps it’s all just a conspiracy, but you’d think that if locksmiths could get in on that action that they would.
If it really IS just a valley-wide conspiracy, let me know! We can always use another key.
May be, and perhaps the technology has changed, but I can tell you for certain that just a couple of years ago when I was a working locksmith we had the equipment at our shop to cut and program practically any auto key.
You have to know what kind of car.
Some cars, you can get the physical portion of the key copied, and that will open the doors (but not start the car) - useful for those people who lock their keys in the car.
Some other cars you can “program” the car for a new key with one or both original keys with a key you can buy off ebay or from a dealer, (which still has to be cut to match you existing keys physically, too)
Other cars only the dealer or a locksmith with the right equipment can do it.
I bought a used Chrysler earlier this year. When I went to the nearest Chrysler dealership to inquire about getting a copy I was treated so badly that I walked out.
A local independent locksmith quoted a price $10 more ($85 for the programmed key) but was so pleasant to deal with that as soon as I have that amount to spare he will get my business. He did cut me an unprogrammed “lockout” key for $6.
Hmmmm. Does your username reflect your geographical area? If so, there may be hope for us" I’m not too far from DC myself - as in, if you could, so could others still practicing in the area.
We got door keys (lock out keys) at Ace Hardware for $40-something to a 2002 F150 whose ignition key requires a chip. Had we wanted a chip-in key it would have been close to $100.
I just bought a Volvo and instead of carrying a key around, I have to carry this big black motherfucking chunk of plastic that supposedly will open some doors, or just the driver’s door, and the trunk, and allow me to turn the lights on before I reach the car, and shine my shoes, and block my hat, and toast a bagel. Everywhere I go, I have this big hard lump in my pocket that makes it look as if I’m permanently sexually aroused. AND a replacement would cost me hundreds of dollars.
The dealership wanted $100 to make a duplicate ignition key for a 2004 Honda CRV. A local independent locksmith quoted us $95. When we had the car in for work at our regular mechanic shop, they contracted out with their locksmith (probably the same one we went to) and got it for $85, which they didn’t mark up.
I lost one of the two keys to my 2006 Mazda3 when I moved to my current house in July 2007. I have only had one key and remote since then and I would be screwed if I lost it or it was seriously damaged.
I called two local Mazda dealerships and one wanted $275 to cut and program ma new key and program a new remote. The other wanted $190 just to cut and program the key! I suppose he thought he was doing me a favor because he told me I’d be better off to find a remote on Ebay and they are very easy to program with the instructions that come with them.
I took his advice and I now have a second remote that will lock and unlock the car and arm/disarm the alarm system and it was only $78. I also ordered a key blank for $18 and I have located a locksmith who can cut and program the transponder/chip for $75. So the new key will cost me $93 and the remote was $78, for a total of $171…too much for a damn car key, in my freakin’ opinion! :dubious:
Here’s the funny (and by funny, I mean f*cked up) thing- if you have two functional, programmed keys, you can program a new third key all by yourself! Just get a blank, have it cut and then there is a series of steps that involved inserted each of the two programmed keys in the ignition, turning it on for X seconds, followed by inserting the new unprogrammed key and it will be programmed also. I wish I had read all the message boards advising me to do this when the car was new (before I lost the second key), but I have already ordered another blank and plan to program it myself when it arrives! BTW, this procedure works for a Mazda, I have no idea if it works on any other make of car or if some cars have other methods of allowing you to program the key.
agree… last month my i lost my dad’s car keys and he called a locksmith using this site http://carkeyadvice.com/united-kingdom-car-key-specialist-index and when the guy came in his van unit he has all the equipments needed… while having a chat with him… he also said that their company is able to do replacement keys for any make. not all thought …
The shoe shop I work in, in our big box store locations, has a side business in key cutting. We can cut/program a lot of chip keys prior to 2010 for between $25-60, and our lock-out door-only keys are $3.20 with the sales tax included.
Our local locksmith can do almost all of the chip keys and has remotes, as well as making lock-out keys.
The dealers are a rip-off - shop around a bit, there’s good chance you can get your keys copied for under $100.
It all depends on the type of key. Many of the keys have a RFID-type chip in the black plastic part, the computer won’t allow allow the car to start unless the proper chip is near the steering column.
A risky but cheap thing to do if you only have one chipped key is make $2 conventional copies of it and tape the chipped key to the underside of your steering column. Then the copies will start the car just fine. That of course defeats the purpose of the chipped keys, but thieves won’t know you did it.