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The Sage Advice On Car Key Fob Replacement From An Older Five-Year-Old
Car Key Fob Replacement

Many cars now use key fobs, which can lock and unlock doors and allow you to start your car. Replacing the standard key fob typically requires a trip to the dealer, who will charge you depending on the make of your vehicle.

Consumer Reports has some simple ways to save money. Here's how:

Battery

If your key fob isn't working the first thing you need to do is change its battery. These devices that have replaced traditional keys, can do much more than lock and unlock the car. Depending on how often you press them, they are constantly sending out an encoded signal in a unique sequence that goes to a receiver inside the car to either lock or unlock it. Fobs are susceptible to breaking down over time, just like any other electronic device that is constantly jostled around in your pockets or purse.

If you're lucky, your new-car dealer will offer key fob batteries replacement that will work with your car. If not, you can locate them at many auto parts stores, and at big-box retailers. You'll usually want a CR2032 button cell battery that can cost between $2 and $4 American for a set of two. To avoid damaging the electronic circuit board, you'll need to carefully remove the old battery from your key fob and replace it with the new one.

Certain newer fobs come with an electronic key inside them that you can remove if the keys fail to open your door or start your engine. While this is a great feature, it could be risky for people with the tendency to lose keys. Some use a wireless remote locking system that relies on an RFID chip in the key fob to operate the doors. If you are having issues with this, you'll need to contact your car's manufacturer to determine if the chip can be reset, or call a locksmith in the event of need.

You may be able do the programming yourself if it is possible to purchase a replacement fob at the price you are comfortable with. This is typically a cheaper option than buying a new key from the dealer. Be aware that not all aftermarket key fobs will work with your vehicle and that many require special equipment to be programmed.

Programming

The majority of modern cars are equipped with electronic keys that let you unlock and start the vehicle remotely. If you lose yours, or require an upgrade you may be in a position to program the replacement yourself. Instructions are usually available online. The exact procedure depends on the model of your vehicle. Owner's guides can also provide detailed programming information. Before you attempt to reprogramme your key fob, be sure it's got new batteries. They are affordable and easy to replace but an exhausted battery could interfere with the process. Close all doors at once. One open door could affect the functionality of the fob.

To reprogram a key fob, switch off your car and take the original key from the ignition. Press the lock button on the new fob in the same time frame typically between 10 to 30 seconds. car key replacement near me may respond by cycling the locks, switching on the lights, or chiming to confirm that the fob was programmed. Repeat this procedure for any additional fobs you want to add to your vehicle's system.

Be aware that this reprogramming technique is only available for vehicles that utilize the same technology. If your car has different types of key fob, or has an ignition key made of metal, it will require specialized programming that is only performed by a dealer.

A lot of dealerships offer this service for a flat cost, but you might be in a position to save money by contacting an automotive locksmith instead. They usually have the equipment to do the job for a fraction of the price you'd pay at the dealership. They might even be able to visit you to complete the work.

If you decide to go to the dealership, inquire what their charges are and if they offer an assurance on the work. Also, check your new-car warranty or auto club membership, or insurance policy on cars to see whether it covers malfunctions or lost fobs that are related to them. If you're in good contact with your mechanic, they may even inform you of their pricing for this service prior to making an appointment.

Dealerships

You might be enticed, if you lose your keys, to go to a dealership to get them replaced. Dealerships can charge more than other locations, and they might not offer the best deal. There are alternatives for getting your key fob repaired, including hardware stores and locksmiths. These places are often cheaper than the dealership, and can save you money.

A car key fob allows you to open and start your car without a traditional metal keys. It's typically an oval or rectangular piece of plastic that has buttons that let you lock and unlock your vehicle or activate an alarm, or open the trunk. Fobs became popular in 1990s and are now standard on a lot of vehicles. They can be a useful method to unlock your car, however they also make it easy for thieves to take your vehicle.

The most common car key fob type is the push button starter. It is attached to the ignition of your car. They can be located at an auto parts store or dealership. Other types of car key fobs include switchblade keys, that house the key inside a piece of plastic and keyless entry fobs. The latter are most popular since they allow you to open and start your car without physical key.

Many dealerships inflate the cost of key fobs as they know that consumers will pay for any service to get their car back. It can be difficult to find a replacement fob at an affordable cost. However, you can save some money by using the correct battery and programming it in a different method.

If you own a traditional metal key, an electronic starter, or one of the newer smart keys, you can get a replacement for it at an independent locksmith that isn't associated with any particular car manufacturer. A lot of these places offer a variety of replacement keys and are able to cut and program them for much cheaper than the dealers. You can search the search engine to locate a locksmith that is independent near you.

Locksmiths

If your key fob is missing, you'll likely need to pay a professional to replace it. It may not be as inexpensive as you think if your key fob has an advanced feature, like remote start or automatic locking.

Most modern cars have smart keys designed to guard against theft by sending unique security codes every time the button is hit. These codes are not stored on the fob but rather in an embedded chip which communicates with the vehicle to unlock doors and start it. Because of this additional layer, only locksmiths and car dealership technicians have the tools and know-how required to reprogram these keys.

You might be able to purchase a new keyfob at a hardware store or locksmith that specializes in security for cars for less than what you would pay if you purchased it from a dealer. You'll still need to hire an expert to program your fob. This may require the same equipment as the dealership.


Some automakers offer instructions for doing the programming yourself for key fobs on the internet or in their owner's guides. The steps are somewhat difficult, however you may require an additional key fob to expedite the process or even complete it all. For that reason, it's prudent for owners and lessees alike to have two functional key fobs before experiencing the anxiety of losing one.

If your car has a traditional key shank addition to its smart key that you can make a spare at a hardware or key cutting store for relatively inexpensive in the event that the metal key isn't lost along with the fob. Fobs with transponders on both the key shank and the fob could need to be programmed by a professional, but this could be costly when you need to create more than one spare, or if your key requires replacing.

People with German automobiles, for instance one, with the "flip" function that is akin to a switchblade knife may only be able to find fob replacements at the dealership. The reason is that these fobs usually use a specific type of transponder that can only be reset and reprogrammed by the manufacturer's dealer service department, which is generally the only company with the equipment necessary to do so.

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