Vehicle keys - making duplicates

[Rustyiron]

It's a shame what's become of cars & trucks. So many real advances in power, economy & durability, but so much little electronic BS like this. $200+ for a key, really?
Good to know about Ace, I've got 1 vehicle (2012) that might have this BS, can you tell if a key is chipped visually?

 

[aczlan]

There isn't a visual way to tell. But most stores that cut keys around here, I know for sure that all Lowe's and Walmart stores have them) have a detector that you stick the key into and it lights up if the key has a chip in it.
If you post the make model and year someone on here can probably look it up for you.

Aaron Z

 

[tcreeley]

In our 2015 Mazda Miata I've replaced the batteries in the keys. That was a pretty simple task.

 

[ovrszd]

I thought I was answering your post about recommending going to a dealer - stating my reasons why I am choosing not to. Maybe I misunderstood. Based on recommendation here I contacted Ace Hardware and will be going there to have a key made - $70.

No worries. Please post your results.

 

[Jstpssng]

In addition to the chip keys, I would look into getting a steel key that only opens the door. A key for my Ranger cost me about $3.00, whereas a chipped key would be more.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

Like Stimw, I purchased a used car from Hertz auto sales, two weeks ago. There was only one key. The salesman gave me the card of the locksmith that made keys for them as well as other smaller dealerships. I called Nissan and a new 3 function fob with flip out key was $170 for fob. $30 for key and cutting. Programming key was $120. $320 total. I called the locksmith who said $200 total for cut and programmed oem fob. I had my wife drive the car to work one day and he met her there. He cut it and she tested it and paid him. It is identical to the one I got when I bought the car.
The locksith works with "hightech Locksmiths". the card says it is a nationwide company Hightechlocksmith.com. I have used the key the last couple day's and it works fine.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Years ago I wanted an extra chip key for my 2008 Sierra. The dealership sold the key at a reasonable price and said they needed to program it for a rather large labor charge. I asked, if I couldn't do it, and she said maybe you could. Went out in the parking lot, read the manual and in less then ten minutes did it very painlessly. I thought, that quite rotten of the dealership.

I too got a steel key that I tuck under the bed liner. Because, most often the chip key is locked in the vehicle.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

as i recall, programming mine was a few button presses at the correct time.....

 

[Dftodd]

Not sure about the Hondas. But I can program the remotes for my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and Sierra 1500. I am in the same boat as you are with my vehicles. Bought both used and only came with one key and remote.

The key for my 09 Sierra was getting pretty worn and started to be a challenge to operate the ignition. So just before a vacation, I had the local GMC dealer cut me two new keys. They ended up having to re-key the locks for the doors and ignition though. I also purchased a second remote for the truck.

In the process of programming the new remote. They managed to un-program the old remote. :rolleyes I didn't realize it till after I left the dealership. Rather then take the truck back, I checked the owners manual, and it walked you through the steps for programming a remote

My jeep has the same feature, but the remote is attached to the key. I'll have them cut a second key for the jeep when I send it in for the airbag recall.

But I got sidetracked here. When I was discussing price for the programming of the remotes with the GMC dealership, the parts counter guy gave me a price of $45 to program the remote. Service writer tried to charge me $115 to program the remote. Needless to say, there is quite a bit of room to bicker on price. It takes minutes to program the remotes.

 

[aczlan]

Note that for both Ford and Chrysler, if you have 2 working programmed keys you can usually program additional keys without dealer intervention.
With a Ford you can probably program a new key with ForScan for free (assuming that you have a OBD-II adapter that talks to a Windows computer).

Aaron Z