Getting car key made???

[sss3]

Hardware store doesn't make them. Dealer wants $135. Any suggestions where I can go cheaper.

[arabian knight]

Originally Posted by Sandra Spiess

Hardware store doesn't make them. Dealer wants $135. Any suggestions where I can go cheaper.

You did not say what brand or year the car is.
but if it is rather new, then the key has a "chip" in it. And that then is the only key you can use to start the car, and the hardware stores do not do those kind of keys.
And that is why they said the dealer does.

[ArkansasLady]

and they say, or least I was told that by the hardware store here that if you make one without a chip it can lock up the computer in your car...so I figured keeping up with one key will just have to do it for me...

[Tater'sPa]

Originally Posted by ArkansasLady

and they say, or least I was told that by the hardware store here that if you make one without a chip it can lock up the computer in your car...so I figured keeping up with one key will just have to do it for me...

Just to add to this, if your car or truck does lock out ignition or you lose your key...you will have to have vehicle towed to a dealership to have the key made as they need to have the vehicle there to program the transponder/chip
Sometimes you can find a blank on Ebay cheaper and have it programed at the dealer.
My Ford truck key cost @ dealer 40.00 dollars for the blank and another 48.00 for the service dept to program it...it's a racket!

[watcher]

Some wal marts and key shops have chipped blanks and IIRC you can program your own blank if you have a key. Again working on memory with a Ford you need two working keys.

[ladycat]

Walmart makes car keys and they're cheap.

[Square Peg]

Sandra, we only have 2 keys to our car (the kind with the chip inside) so we went to a locksmith and got one made. It won't work in the ignition but will unlock the doors (in case we lock our keys inside). (We go to a local locksmith because he doesn't charge any more than a hardware store and the keys always work.)

[Tater'sPa]

Originally Posted by Square Peg

Sandra, we only have 2 keys to our car (the kind with the chip inside) so we went to a locksmith and got one made. It won't work in the ignition but will unlock the doors (in case we lock our keys inside). (We go to a local locksmith because he doesn't charge any more than a hardware store and the keys always work.)

Please be careful with those un-programed key, two different locksmiths here have told me those keys can lock your ignition if even tried.

[Fla Gal]

The Ace (now DG) hardware store in my area makes chip keys. I don't know if it's possible without an original but if there's an Ace in your area it might be worth a phone call to find out if they do.

[Wisconsin Ann]

We're in the process of replacing a key for our VW Jetta, so I've gotten to be fairly well versed on the stupid keys with chips

A lot depends on the system used for your car. IF the thing has an immobilizer in the system, and you also have a remote opening/locking keyfob...you have 3 problems to solve.

1)finding the correct key fob. With our VW, I can program the keyfob (for locking/unlocking/trunk) if I have 2 physical keys. (it's not hard, just follow strange directions..hold button while turning to accessories, hit button 2 times, etc.).

The actual KEY that turns the ignitions has a chip in it that disengages the immobilizer. An immobilizer is a computer chip implanted in the ignition system that sends out a signal to the key chip "hello? are you there?". If it receives an answer that it understands, it allow the engine to continue running. If it DOESN'T receive an answer...it shuts off the engine and locks it.

3rd problem for my car is that the key is laser cut on the inside of the blank, not the outside edges. Takes an $8000 machine to do the cutting. So only auto dealers, and now some locksmiths have the machine.

To reprogram or newly program the keys, you need a specific code. The courts forced the car companies to make those codes available to locksmiths slightly over a year ago.

For the VW cars (and audis) you can buy a keyfob from Ebay (or wherever), reprogram the locking mechanism but not have a physical key for that keyfob. You can purchase a blank physical key and have it cut, and then take it to your dealer to have the chip programmed/replaced. (there are some locksmiths that can do it, too...you just have to find them). OR you can buy the whole thing from the dealer.

Our dealer charges $85 for the keyfob, $100 for the key and programming. I bought a keyfob on Ebay that matches our keyfob's ID numbers for $15. The blank will cost $15. Cutting and chip will be $50 wherever I go.

[cfabe]

Some good locksmiths can do many of the new chip keys too. If you read in your vehicle manual it should tell you if you can program it yourself or if you need to have the dealer do it.

[Square Peg]

Originally Posted by Tater'sPa

Please be careful with those un-programed key, two different locksmiths here have told me those keys can lock your ignition if even tried.

Yep. It's only for unlocking the door if we lock our keys inside the car. We've got it wired up under the car near the trailer hitch. Don't have to worry about mistaking it for a chipped key.