Car Key Replacement
A replacement key is cut to the vehicle and then taught to it — two separate steps, and the second one is what people forget to budget for.
Call (408) 418-0044
Replacing a car key is rarely just cutting metal. The blade has to match the lock, and then the electronics inside the key have to be introduced to the car's immobiliser before the engine will run. Skip the second step and you get a key that opens the doors and turns in the ignition while the engine refuses to start.
How long that takes, and what it costs, is decided almost entirely by the vehicle rather than by the locksmith. A flat mechanical key for an older vehicle is a quick job. A proximity fob for a recent model may need to be ordered, and a few makes still route everything through a dealer.
What decides the job
- Year, make and model — this is the whole question. Keys change within a model line, sometimes mid-year.
- Whether any working key survives. Duplicating from a working key is far quicker than originating a key from the vehicle.
- The key type — a plain blade, a transponder head, a flip key, a remote head key, a laser-cut blade, or a proximity fob you never take out of your pocket.
- Whether the vehicle is drivable. Work happens where the car is, so a car stuck in a structure or a driveway is normal rather than a problem.
- Proof of ownership — required before a key is made, without exception.
Have this ready
- Year, make, model and trim.
- Registration or title in your name, plus photo ID.
- Any existing key, even one that only opens the doors or has stopped starting the car.
- The exact location of the vehicle, including the parking level.
- Whether the car's battery is flat, since programming needs stable power.
If you still have a working key and simply want a second one, that is duplication and it is a much smaller job. see spare car keys.
Common questions
How long does a replacement car key take?
For a common vehicle with a key type carried on the vehicle, it is usually done in a single visit. Where the key has to be ordered for the model, it becomes two visits — one to identify and order, one to cut and program. The vehicle determines which of those you get.
Can a key be made if I lost every single one?
For most vehicles, yes. The key is originated from the vehicle's own lock or data rather than copied, then programmed to the immobiliser. It takes longer than duplication and proof of ownership is mandatory.
Will the old key still work after a new one is made?
Not necessarily, and often you do not want it to. On many vehicles the programming step can erase previously known keys, which is exactly what you want if a key was stolen. Say so when you call, because it changes how the programming is done.
Does the car have to be towed anywhere?
No. That is the practical reason to use a mobile locksmith for this rather than a dealer — the cutting and programming happen at the vehicle.
Related locksmith services
Describe the lock or key problem
A short description of what happened gets the right tools on the vehicle.
Call (408) 418-0044