How to Reprogram Car Keys Typically, you'll need an active spare key and an instrument for programming Also, it is recommended to have the owner's guide for your car handy The process of reprogramming will differ according to the car model Start by inserting the working key into the ignition and turn it to the on position This will notify the system that it is time to enter programming mode How do I obtain an additional key It can be difficult to get into your car if you've lost the keys There are a few easy steps you can follow to reprogram a key The process may vary slightly according to the car you're using and therefore it is important to follow the guidelines for the specific vehicle you own You'll typically find more detailed details in the owner's manual or on the website of the manufacturer The first step is to insert the second key you want to program into your vehicle It could be a new key or an alternative working key, but it has to have the same chip as your original key Then, you'll need to turn off and on the key until you reach security mode After you've done that, you will have some time to insert your new keys Once you've inserted the second key, you can take it from the ignition This will reset the electronic components of the key, allowing you to start the vehicle Repeat this step to reprogram any other keys you may need You can save money by purchasing a new key fob from a locksmith or an auto dealer You can look for discounts online or call for a quote to get the best price You should also make sure that the key fob you're purchasing is compatible with the vehicle you're using it in You can ask a locksmith to check the key fob prior to buying it if aren't sure A professional locksmith will be able program your key using specialist software They can connect their computer to the OBD port of your vehicle this usually is located beneath the dashboard The software will be used to match your car key to the settings of your car This will protect your key from being used by another to take your car While it is possible to reprogram your own key, it's generally not advised It can be illegal, and will render your old keys inoperable There are some exceptions to this rule however, they are not frequent This is the reason that many choose to go with a locksmith to reprogramme their car keys needs Finding the key chip A key chip is a tiny microchip that is inside the key of your car that transmits a low-level radio signal It signals the immobilizer to turn off and allows you to start the car These chips also come with a digital serial number that authenticates the key and helps prevent auto theft You can get an exchange for your lost key by calling a locksmith It is quick and easy to obtain one, and it can save you money over the course of time Some methods on the internet claim to allow you to modify your key However, these methods are not recommended to the average person These methods can be dangerous and can corrupt the information in your car's security system Instead, it is best to seek out a locksmith who has the right equipment for the procedure These services are available in most locksmith shops as well as on the internet These websites provide a variety of options for reprogramming a key, including key fobs already programmed It is important to note that not all keyfobs are compatible with all cars They are designed to match specific make, model and year cars and need to be paired with the correct vehicle before they can function The first step in reprogramming a key is to buy the blank key that matches the chip in your vehicle You can buy these at hardware stores or auto parts stores You will then have to locate the ECU in your vehicle You can find it under the dashboard, however you should check your owner's guide to be sure Once you have located the ECU, you will need to connect the diagnostic device to it The device will communicate with the car's components and program them to accept new keys After the key has been reprogrammed it will function just as the previous one You can also use the key fob to unlock your doors and then start the engine This will help you save time and money on fuel and will keep your car safe from thieves It's important to have an extra key in case yours gets lost How to find a key programmer If you're a car enthusiast you're likely to know that the majority of cars use electronic keys and key fobs to protect your vehicle from thieves Key fobs are typically programmed by a locksmith or an auto dealer, but you can also do it yourself if your a skilled DIYer It's important to remember that reprogramming your key fob can be an extremely complex process Check your manual for your vehicle or a professional to ensure you do it correctly You could end up damaging the expensive electronics inside your car The first step in programming your key is removing the old fob Transfer all its internal parts to the new one A locksmith can help you with this but you can also purchase an online replacement key fob A new key fob will cost less than a car battery and it's a great method to prevent theft There are various ways to program your key depending on the model and make of your vehicle For instance, some models require a specific device to connect the blank key to the ECU Others use a straightforward procedure that works for all models Check out the owner's manual or a professional technician prior to you begin the reprogramming process to determine which tool is compatible with your vehicle The majority of auto locksmiths will inform you that the onboard programming method is the fastest If you follow the steps correctly the process can be completed in less than an hour The OBD2 or EEPROM methods are more complicated and can may take up to half an hour Additionally, these methods are risky and carry an increased chance of destroying the information stored on the module Consider purchasing an universal remote for your vehicle to get rid of the hassles of a key programmer They can be programmed to work with all types of makes and models and you can use them with older vehicles These are also cheaper than the original fobs, and are available at most dealerships or parts stores Finding a locksmith A locksmith can reprogram a key fob or car key that stopped functioning if you've lost it This is a simple and safe way to get back on the road You can also contact a locksmith to help with other tasks, such as getting a key made or removing a broken key Some locksmiths provide a mobile service that makes it easier for you to get the help you need Transponder technology is utilized in a number of vehicles to stop theft This means that they have to be programmed to work with your car's anti-theft system A locksmith for cars or a mechanic can do this This is a costly process that requires specialized equipment as well as an application https//wwwopenlearningcom/u/songcurran-sf37hs/blog/TheUnspokenSecretsOfProgrammingCarKeys is a way to save money, however it's risky and can damage the system You should always consider an experienced car locksmith for key reprogramming They have the expertise and tools to complete this job properly, safely, and securely In addition, they will save you a lot of time and stress by doing it right the first time Locksmiths can program your new key quickly, and often at a lower cost They have the tools necessary to connect to the onboard computer of your vehicle and allow them to enter programming mode This is a quicker and more secure way to program a new key than waiting for the dealership In certain cars that have onboard computers, there is locks on it that limits the number of times a locksmith is able to program it These systems employ tokens which means that the locksmith must pay for each programming attempt by way of the use of a pre-paid token This cost is reflected on the cost of the service You can find the exact steps needed to program the keyless entry remote in your owner's guide or on the internet Most of these steps require the vehicle to be opened and the diagnostic ports on the car to be opened This is done to read the correct key information from the module