Car Key Programming at Your Car, Not at the Dealer
Modern car keys have a chip inside, and the car has to know that chip before it will start. We bring the programming equipment to you and pair new or spare keys right there.
Why a cut key is not enough
Since the late 1990s most cars carry an immobilizer. The key blade turns the lock, but a small chip in the head of the key talks to the car before the engine is allowed to run. A key cut perfectly at a hardware store will open the door and still leave you sitting there.
Programming is the step that introduces the new chip to the car. Some cars accept it in a few minutes, others need a security wait built in by the manufacturer. We know which is which before we arrive.
Remotes are a separate piece of the same puzzle. On many cars the lock and unlock buttons are paired on their own, apart from the chip that starts the engine. So a key can start the car while its buttons do nothing, or the other way round. We pair both parts, and we tell you which one was the problem so it makes sense next time.
Common reasons people call us for this
You bought a key or remote online and it does nothing. Your remote stopped locking the doors after a battery change. You want a second key before a family member starts driving. You lost a key and want it erased from the car. A used car came with one key and you want two.
Each of these is a programming job. If you bought the key yourself, send us a photo of it and the part number on the back. Not every online key is compatible, and we will tell you honestly whether yours can be used before you pay for a visit.
What we check before we leave
We test the new key the way you will use it: start the engine a few times, lock and unlock with the remote, open the trunk, and check the panic button. On push-to-start cars we check that the car sees the key from inside the cabin and from your pocket.
If any older key is still in use, we confirm it still works too. Some cars wipe every key during programming, so all keys you want to keep should be with the car when we arrive.
Before we pack up, we show you any quirks of your model, like a key that must be held in the start position for a moment, so the new key never surprises you.
Signs your key needs programming
Often needed with this
Common questions
Can you program a key I bought online?
Sometimes. It has to match your car's chip type and frequency, and some aftermarket shells are poor quality. Text us a photo of the key and any part number, plus your car's year, make and model, and we will tell you before booking.
Do I need to bring all my keys?
Yes, please have every key you want to keep at the car. On many models the programming process clears the car's key list and re-adds only the keys that are present.
Is dealer programming different from yours?
The result is the same: the car accepts the key. The difference is that we come to you, often the same day, and you do not have to tow a car that will not start. A small number of newer models are dealer-only, and we will say so.
Can you program a motorcycle or work truck key?
Many work trucks and vans, yes. Motorcycles vary a lot by brand. Send us the year, make and model and we will tell you plainly whether we can do it on site.