Q&A for How to Replace Car Keys

You will be tempted to purchase a cheap key from the internet, but you are taking a huge risk. There is about a 50/50 chance the key you purchase will either not work or won't be able to be programmed to your vehicle. Call around to your local locksmiths. One of them will offer you a key at a fair price.

You would have to get your ex's key and either just use it to open the car or get a copy of it made. Or you can try asking your ex if you can get your keys?

It depends on if your car has an immobilizer. If it does, then it is possible that the chip contained in the key has failed or malfunctioned, and the immobilizer is refusing the signal or lack thereof. If this is the case, you will likely have to get a replacement from Mazda.

Go to your nearest Honda dealership and ask them because it varies by car, model, and year and there is no space here to list every single model.

That depends highly on the year, make, and model. For example, most GM vehicles can be programmed on-board. The same is true with older Ford vehicles. If it is one of the two, you can have the key cut by VIN through a NASTF registered locksmith, then program it yourself. All others will have to be cut and programmed by an automotive locksmith.

No because the valet key will only start the car. It cannot unlock the glove compartment or anything else.

Your key may be worn. Try using the spare key and if that works get a replacement cut.

The average cost of replacing a car key varies a great deal. The cost can run from $50, if you bring in a door or trunk lock containing all of the needed wafers, to around $500, if it's a luxury car with a proximity fob. Replacing keys to a car if you have duplicates is quite a bit less expensive.

That depends on the method of programming. Asian vehicles will lose all keys once a programmer is plugged in to program a new key. All keys must be present and be reprogrammed in. Other vehicles will store keys up to a certain number, then not allow any others unless one is deleted.

That is a possibility unless you broke the transponder chip as well. There are two types of chips, glass and ceramic.

Not enough info. What year and model? Do you need a key copied or made from scratch?

Yes. Most can handle 4, but you need to check the specific year and model to be sure.

That depends on the make, model, year, and whether or not there is a key code on the lock. Some vehicles have a code on the lock which can be used to create a mechanical key. Others might not have a code, but have all required wafers in the lock to make a functional mechanical key. Others may only have a portion of the wafers required to open and turn the ignition. With today's cars, this might only provide you with half of a solution. If your car requires a transponder key, it will have to be cut and programmed.

There is no general "average price" as there are so many types of keys and vehicles.

This question is difficult to answer since no year, make, or model is listed. Ask a locksmith and provide those details.

Yes, there are two ways. Either call an automotive locksmith, or take your driver's license and registration to the dealer. Most Hyundai vehicles in the US do not have immobilizer systems unless the car uses a proximity key.

There is no difference between a regular key and a cloned key. They both function the same. A cloned key has just been made by copying your chip information and burning it onto a cloning chip. You mentioned your keys are "wearing out." If you are speaking of the metal blade on your key, and you have gone through three keys, you have an ignition issue or a very heavy key chain. If you are speaking of the chips in the keys, it sounds as though your immobilizer or immobilizer antenna is getting weak, as is common in old Fords.

This depends on your immobilizer system. BMW has EWS, CAS, FEM, and BDM systems. Each system requires a different amount of work to generate and program a key.

Yes. Depending on the type of vehicle you have. Most automotive locksmiths can program American and Asian vehicles, but if you have a European vehicle, such as a BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Saab, or Jaguar, you will have to do some searching, as locksmiths able to work with these vehicles are few and far between.

Most likely, if it is from the same make and model (and possibly year) vehicle. You will need to consult your owner's manual for the programming procedure. Be aware on many late model GM vehicles, once you program a new RKE transmitter, it will delete all the other ones in the system (that's in case the original one was lost or stolen), so you will need to program your new transmitter, as well as all the existing ones, at the same time.

If the chip is still able to be read, it can be placed in a shell and the shell can be cut. The shell with the chip installed will then start your car. If the chip does not read, you are in an all keys lost situation.

It sounds as though the Eeprom procedures were not completed correctly. Generally the pin is extracted via Eeprom, and with that information, the key is then programed. Go back to the person who made your replacement key and explain your problem.

Most likely YOU can't program the key. Replacing an ignition due to lost keys will ultimately end up costing you more than calling a locksmith to generate and program a new key. Many locksmiths will refuse to come out and program your key if you replace the ignition yourself. They will refuse as the risk of not getting paid is high. It is extremely easy to damage the immobilizer system while swapping the ignition. If you swap it, the locksmith comes out, and the key does not program, you are not going to want to pay him since the key does not start the car.

Ranges from $15 - 25, more if you buy from the dealership. Just purchasing the key, not the key fob, makes it less expensive.

Worn cylinder. More likely you have a bunch of keys as well as the ignition key? If this is the case, the weight of what you have hanging there is going to allow the ignition key to be vibrated out.

As long as you have other proof that you own that car, then yes. If not, they might think that you stole or you are trying to steal that car. Many locksmiths will not create duplicated keys or new keys for a car if you don't have the car title or other clear proof of ownership.