Where to get a Honda Civic 2012 key replaced in the East Bay?

January 2, 2016 6:24 PM

What is the cheapest place in the East Bay (or beyond) to cut and program a key for my 2012 Honda Civic?

I lost one of my two master keys to my Civic and now looking to get it replaced. I called the dealership in Oakland, who said they would charge $180 for a new key. Some Googling has led me to believe that the cheapest way to get a new key would be to buy the physical key online and then get someone to cut and program it, typically for a cost of about $60. Does anyone have recommendations for dealers or locksmiths who would cut and program a key for that cost or less?

The Honda dealership said they would do it for "more than $100," and Oakland Locksmith quoted me a "starting price" of $100 for keying and programming. It would be great to find a place who would do it for cheaper. I'm willing to drive to any location within 20 miles of Oakland.

Thanks!

posted by crazy with stars to Travel & Transportation around Oakland, CA (5 answers total)

Ace Hardware does keys, but I think they run around $100.
posted by Jaclyn at 7:02 PM on January 2, 2016

Lowe's can copy/program some car keys. Bring it there and see if they have a blank for that year/model. The prices vary for different makes and models, but it shouldn't cost more than $60, maybe less.
posted by i_like_camels at 7:03 PM on January 2, 2016

Two weeks ago I spent a lot of time finding the cheapest working key copy for my 2001 Honda Accord. Wal-mart, Lowes and Home Depot all offer some sort of "buy a transponder key here, and we'll cut and program it for you". Lowe's was the cheapest at $29.98 (that's the total pre-tax cost for the cut and programmed key". This is given that you have at least 1 copy of the key now. These Car keys with chips in them are called "transponder" keys, and need "programmed", but at lowe's they copy the "program" from a key you provide them to your newly purchased $29.98 key. This key at lowes should fit your car I think. I find this topic interesting and a $30 programmed key a bargain. Just take your current key into lowe's and they'll have you with a new programmed key in a few minutes. I have no affiliation with any of those companies. If you buy your key from ebay, and try to take it into those stores they usually won't program it for you.
posted by crawltopslow at 7:58 PM on January 2, 2016

Here Is a youtube explanation of how they copy the key. (This is made by Hillman, the company that provide's the keys at lowe's).
posted by crawltopslow at 8:05 PM on January 2, 2016

Be aware that not all Lowes have the new equipment needed to copy a chip key. Call before running all over town .
posted by mightshould at 1:58 AM on January 3, 2016