Technology is improving our daily lives in plenty of ways, providing new levels of convenience and security at every turn. An ideal example is modern key fobs, which allow you to unlock, lock, and start your car with the key still in your pocket.
But just like any other electronic device or insert keys, key fobs can get lost, fail to work, wear out, or get damaged, leaving you in need of a spare. This means you may have to program a key fob, one way or another. But how long does it take?
Programming a key fob can be relatively fast if you use a skilled automotive locksmith or a reputable car dealership. The whole ordeal should take somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes. However, this varies by the car’s make and model, the tools and methods the dealership or locksmith uses, and the complexity of the key fob’s programming needs, with some car keys taking up to an hour to be programmed.
Can You Do It Yourself?
You may be wondering, ‘Can I program the key fob myself?’ Well, yes. DIY key fob programming is possible, but not without constraints. Some automakers provide step-by-step instructions for car owners to program their key fobs by themselves.
Before you begin, ensure you have everything you need close at hand. Usually, you’re going to need: your car’s owner manual, your key fob, and sometimes, a spare key. With these items at hand, get inside the vehicle. Insert your key into the ignition and turn ON the car, not START the engine. This switches on the vehicle’s electrical system and gets it ready for programming.
With the car ON, firmly press and hold the lock button for roughly five seconds. This signals to your car’s electric control unit (ECU) that the programming sequence has been initiated. After that, turn the key back to OFF. You may need to repeat this several times—your owner’s manual should clearly indicate the exact number of times you need to repeat the cycle.
After completing the required cycles, proceed to test your key fob. Check if it works properly by unlocking and locking your doors, and starting the car’s engine (if applicable). If the fob isn’t working properly, repeat the programming sequence or consult the owner’s manual for additional troubleshooting tips.
How Much Does It Cost?
There is no exact answer as to how much it costs to program a key fob. In other words, the price range is relatively broad, often going from as low as $50 to as high as $400. Why the huge variation? The cost you’ll incur depends on several variables.
- The first variable is whether you go to a dealership or a locksmith—the latter is cheaper.
- Secondly, the type of key fob. Programming a transponder key or keyless ignition fob of a luxury vehicle will definitely cost more than a basic fob.
- Thirdly, the car make and model. Some auto makers deliberately make reprogramming a key fob more costly and difficult for safety reasons. Programming key fobs for vehicles such as high-end sports cars, for instance, can prove costly due to the advanced encryption needed to sync the key and the car’s onboard computer system.
That said, if you want to save money on key fob programming, choose a reputable locksmith in your neighborhood. While car dealerships will provide the service, their fees are typically much greater. In most cases, vehicle dealerships like to contract an automotive locksmith anyway. So, you can save both money and time by going directly to the locksmith, who will most likely offer same-day assistance.