Vehicle keys - making duplicates

aczlan · Apr 20, 2018

Kyle_in_Tex said:
Note to self: When buying a vehicle, see how much a spare key costs...
Bird, no offense, but your story takes Ford escape off my list.

Meh, a laptop with ForScan (free from What's new) and a $30 OBD-II adapter that will talk to your laptop (Amazon.com: forscan) will take care of that and let you program new keys as long as you have at least 1 good key (my 2008 Taurus X came with 1 key and now has 4).

Aaron Z

MossRoad · Apr 20, 2018

aczlan said:
Meh, a laptop with ForScan (free from What's new) and a $30 OBD-II adapter that will talk to your laptop (Amazon.com: forscan) will take care of that and let you program new keys as long as you have at least 1 good key (my 2008 Taurus X came with 1 key and now has 4).

Aaron Z

Got anything like that for Chevy?

aczlan · Apr 20, 2018

MossRoad said:
Got anything like that for Chevy?

Sadly, not anywhere near that cheap. I have looked (to find something for the wife's Yukon), but haven't found anything (another reason why Ford>Chevy :stirthepot: )

Aaron Z

PILOON · Apr 20, 2018

Jstpssng said:
A locksmith once told me to cut the key in half (so that nobody can use it) and duct tape the chip to the steering column. He says that will allow you to use a $3.00 steel key. I just have a hard time cutting a $60 key, and on the newer GM's you would need to be really good with a dremel tool to duplicate a key.

My Toyota MR2 came only with the Valet key.
The bummer is that their are glove boxes and compartments that need the 'owner' or master key to access.
I tried the idea of taping or placing the CHIPPED key nearby but it would not communicate other than right in the key slot.
A dealer suggested I could get a transponder to do the job.
I was able to get the code for the glove box etc but it means I have to carry 2 keys.

My understanding is that often used cars are consigned to retailers and the wholesaler retains the master to make repos easy.
Also I believe I should be able to get a remote to unlock my doors but that is another thing altogether. (found a link for that)

oosik · Apr 20, 2018

I knew these "coded keys" for newer cars were expensive - but Lordy - those prices are ridiculous. Thank goodness I still have two key for each of my vehicles. I'll be sure to store the second keys in a really safe place.

My new motorcycle - 2018 BMW R1200GSA - has a keyless system with a transmitter. No buttons to push - no keys to use - the transmitter has to be within about ten feet and stay within that distance while the M/C is in use. I've heard ***** stories about the cost of a new transmitter and getting it and the bike linked up. And with the BMW - you DO NOT get a second transmitter with the new bike.

ovrszd · Apr 20, 2018

Ya'll realize we as consumers did this right??

Stimw · Apr 20, 2018

How about we just execute car thieves! Problem solved.
It worked for horses!

Doofy · Apr 20, 2018

ovrszd said:
Ya'll realize we as consumers did this right??

Yes, I think we did it to ourselves by purchasing their overpriced crap in the first place. The Consumer has lost his/her voice and either buy what is offered, or not. Other than my new tractor, my newest vehicle is a 2002 and WAALAA, no "chipped" keys. I don't want or need a car or truck that must be tethered to a dealer to be kept running.

Doofy · Apr 20, 2018

Stimw said:
How about we just execute car thieves! Problem solved.
It worked for horses!

Remember the old chevys that didn't even need a key? Those were the days!

ovrszd · Apr 20, 2018

We didn't lose our voice. Our voice is clearly heard and the products offered are a direct reflection. We want this. We need this. Just like we need to walk up to the rear of our SUV and wave our foot under the rear of the vehicle and have it open. We want this. We need this.

buckeyefarmer · Apr 20, 2018

I didnt buy a new honda because the new dash layout sucks. And only digital mph. I think the brain comprehends an analog gauge faster than digital.

Doofy · Apr 20, 2018

ovrszd said:
We didn't lose our voice. Our voice is clearly heard and the products offered are a direct reflection. We want this. We need this. Just like we need to walk up to the rear of our SUV and wave our foot under the rear of the vehicle and have it open. We want this. We need this.

I guess I am guilty because I quit buying. Must have lost my voice. My only new cars were purchased in 1970, 1989 and 1993. Purchased lots of vehicles for my job though, but most were plain-jane fleet vehicles. Who ever said they needed 16 cup holders and $350 smart keys?

ovrszd · Apr 20, 2018

Doofy said:
I guess I am guilty because I quit buying. Must have lost my voice. My only new cars were purchased in 1970, 1989 and 1993. Purchased lots of vehicles for my job though, but most were plain-jane fleet vehicles. Who ever said they needed 16 cup holders and $350 smart keys?

If you live long enough, you'll have no choice.

Doofy · Apr 20, 2018

ovrszd said:
If you live long enough, you'll have no choice.

Sad to say, but am on the downhill side of life and the ol' time clock is ticking down rather fast. My '98 Ford Ranger will surely get me to the Pearly Gates. Standard transmission and roll-up windows are good enough for me.

ovrszd · Apr 20, 2018

Doofy said:
Sad to say, but am on the downhill side of life and the ol' time clock is ticking down rather fast. My '98 Ford Ranger will surely get me to the Pearly Gates. Standard transmission and roll-up windows are good enough for me.

Yep. Totally understand.

First time I used that "line" was in a discussion about Tier IV diesels.

No way to avoid these modern "gadgets" other than end being a consumer.

Doofy · Apr 20, 2018

ovrszd said:
Yep. Totally understand.

First time I used that "line" was in a discussion about Tier IV diesels.

No way to avoid these modern "gadgets" other than end being a consumer.

Hope this Tier IV has no problems...to far from the Dealer.

Dftodd · Apr 20, 2018

Doofy said:
Remember the old chevys that didn't even need a key? Those were the days!

Buddy had an old jeep truck in High School that was like that. The ignition was so worn, all you had to do to start it was wiggle the key switch and it would pop loose and turn just like the key was in it. Idiot thought it was a neat feature and pointed it out to a few of us.

It was all fun and games till he forgot to lock the doors

Then there was no telling where that truck would end up on school property :laughing::cool2:

aczlan · Apr 20, 2018

oosik said:
I knew these "coded keys" for newer cars were expensive - but Lordy - those prices are ridiculous. Thank goodness I still have two key for each of my vehicles. I'll be sure to store the second keys in a really safe place.

My new motorcycle - 2018 BMW R1200GSA - has a keyless system with a transmitter. No buttons to push - no keys to use - the transmitter has to be within about ten feet and stay within that distance while the M/C is in use. I've heard ***** stories about the cost of a new transmitter and getting it and the bike linked up. And with the BMW - you DO NOT get a second transmitter with the new bike.

With most of them, you can get a new key for $30-50 on Amazon or Ebay. Just buy one, have it cut and program it BEFORE you lose the 2nd key. Then you have a spare key and if you ever lose the first one, you can still program another key without an expensive dealer trip.

Aaron Z

Kyle_in_Tex · Apr 20, 2018

Doofy said:
Sad to say, but am on the downhill side of life and the ol' time clock is ticking down rather fast. My '98 Ford Ranger will surely get me to the Pearly Gates. Standard transmission and roll-up windows are good enough for me.

My brother says "A Model T with air conditioning is all he wants"...