# Key FOB Replace Options Needed **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 8, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-fob-replace-options-needed/655178 "2013-04-08T19:23:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-fob-replace-options-needed/655178/1 "2013-04-08T19:23:28Z")
My son is up at school in Flagstaff with his 2009 Ford Escape. Not having taken his father’s advice w/regard to placement of spare keys, he now finds himself without any. What’s the cheapest route to get a replacement? The local Ford dealer would undoubtedly hose him. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-fob-replace-options-needed/655178/2 "2013-04-08T19:41:12Z")
Try a locksmith. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-fob-replace-options-needed/655178/3 "2013-04-08T19:42:54Z")
Ebay. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-fob-replace-options-needed/655178/4 "2013-04-08T19:48:18Z")
Do you have a key to copy? If not, you may _have_ to go to the dealer. Or are you just talking about the remote? ---
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-fob-replace-options-needed/655178/5 "2013-04-08T20:40:29Z")
Lost both keys. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-fob-replace-options-needed/655178/6 "2013-04-08T21:20:01Z")
A locksmith will come to him, and will require some ID, but not as much as a dealer usually does. A dealer can cut keys - **make one** , then have a copy made at Home Depot or Ace Hardware - from the VIN, but he’ll need to take ID, proof of ownership in his name. Is the title in his name? Your name? The registration? Dealerships are usually hardcore about proof of ownership, so if it’s still your car on paper, don’t bother. The 'smith will be a bit more lenient I suspect. He has to cover his ass as well, but if called to the car at Jr’s house or school, and Jr. can show it’s his car, it’s all good. And send his [birthday present](http://static.zoovy.com/img/fixfind/-/5/53550v10.jpg) early… ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-fob-replace-options-needed/655178/7 "2013-04-08T21:31:47Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Do you have a key to copy? If not, you may _have_ to go to the dealer. > > Or are you just talking about the remote? My 2004 PT Cruiser’s key is electronic-- keys you have cut from the original will unlock the doors, but they won’t start the ignition because it won’t send the correct electrical signal. I assume most cars of similar vintage are the same way. I’m not sure you can avoid a trip to a dealership, frankly. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-fob-replace-options-needed/655178/8 "2013-04-08T21:43:19Z")
> [@Blakeyrat](#): > > I’m not sure you can avoid a trip to a dealership, frankly. Yeah I think that’s the OP’s only option here. You _can_ program a Ford key yourself, but you need a working, programmed key to do it, which the OP does not have. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-fob-replace-options-needed/655178/9 "2013-04-09T04:39:46Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Yeah I think that’s the OP’s only option here. > > You _can_ program a Ford key yourself, but you need a working, programmed key to do it, which the OP does not have. No, as ‘olde timey’ as locksmiths seem they’ve kept up with current technology and can not only cut them but they can program the chips in them as well. It may still not be cheap, but I’ll bet it will be cheaper than a dealership.