How do I get extra keyless remotes for a car?
May 3, 2017 3:07 AM Subscribe
I want to get some extra keyless remotes for my car, with minimum pain and hassle and maximum convenience. If you have gone through this process before, what are your stories? What worked? What didn't?
Normally I just google things like this, but the results for this seem full of click-bait sites, weird ads for questionable online companies with ugly web sites, and sketchy DIY instructions.
Since it's a new used car (recently purchased, new to me), I plan to go first to the dealership. But I have heard horror stories about dealerships charging $400+ for replacement remotes or smart keys. Amazon and other online vendors sell replacement remotes for lower prices, but then you apparently need to get them reprogrammed by either the dealer or an "automotive locksmith" to work with your actual car.
This is my current game plan: (1) buy a couple "blank" remotes that match my vehicle on Amazon ($20 each) (2) get a local shop to program these to work with my car ($100+ advertised prices).
Is this a good plan? Will it work, or are there concerns about aftermarket (non-dealer / non-OEM) products?
Details: This is a 2014 Toyota Sienna. The remote is strictly a fob which is separate from the non-electronic, metal, engine starter key.
Normally I just google things like this, but the results for this seem full of click-bait sites, weird ads for questionable online companies with ugly web sites, and sketchy DIY instructions.
Since it's a new used car (recently purchased, new to me), I plan to go first to the dealership. But I have heard horror stories about dealerships charging $400+ for replacement remotes or smart keys. Amazon and other online vendors sell replacement remotes for lower prices, but then you apparently need to get them reprogrammed by either the dealer or an "automotive locksmith" to work with your actual car.
This is my current game plan: (1) buy a couple "blank" remotes that match my vehicle on Amazon ($20 each) (2) get a local shop to program these to work with my car ($100+ advertised prices).
Is this a good plan? Will it work, or are there concerns about aftermarket (non-dealer / non-OEM) products?
Details: This is a 2014 Toyota Sienna. The remote is strictly a fob which is separate from the non-electronic, metal, engine starter key.
Yep. Old Toyota Prius. We didn't have to get the car reprogrammed so it was $175 each.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 4:03 AM on May 3, 2017
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 4:03 AM on May 3, 2017
You many want to contact some local locksmiths first. As they may require you to buy the remotes from them in order to have them programmed.
posted by zinon at 6:13 AM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zinon at 6:13 AM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
You can buy a third party key programmer for $10 and try it out. No idea how well it will work. Sipping will probably take a couple weeks.
posted by gregr at 6:33 AM on May 3, 2017
posted by gregr at 6:33 AM on May 3, 2017
We just went through this when my wife lost her remote in the snow.
We had a locksmith come out, per dealer's recommendation(!). The locksmith had "blank" remotes designed for our specific make/model of vehicle. Then he programmed them on the spot. We never even had to leave the house. Cost around $175. Would have been $325 at the dealer.
I would avoid all websites, eBay, etc for this type of thing. They might work, but they aren't technically legit (they can't possibly be), and you may have lots of issues later.
posted by TinWhistle at 6:59 AM on May 3, 2017
We had a locksmith come out, per dealer's recommendation(!). The locksmith had "blank" remotes designed for our specific make/model of vehicle. Then he programmed them on the spot. We never even had to leave the house. Cost around $175. Would have been $325 at the dealer.
I would avoid all websites, eBay, etc for this type of thing. They might work, but they aren't technically legit (they can't possibly be), and you may have lots of issues later.
posted by TinWhistle at 6:59 AM on May 3, 2017
My car has a maximum of 2 fobs. You may want to find out if Toyota has a maximum before you purchase too many.
I've done this several times. I would go only to the dealer. In the case of the Acura the dealer was cheaper than the aftermarket solutions.
posted by littlewater at 7:23 AM on May 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've done this several times. I would go only to the dealer. In the case of the Acura the dealer was cheaper than the aftermarket solutions.
posted by littlewater at 7:23 AM on May 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Seconding little water. My Kia has a maximum of two fobs as well.
posted by tilde at 8:17 AM on May 3, 2017
posted by tilde at 8:17 AM on May 3, 2017
This is all still a 10x rip-off! This is $10 of electronics, a few keystrokes to generate the custom cryptographic keys, and a half-hour of time. Should be $30 max at a dealer or a locksmith.
posted by cyclicker at 9:39 AM on May 3, 2017
posted by cyclicker at 9:39 AM on May 3, 2017
I recently bought a Ford Ranger truck with no remotes. I bought two from Amazon for about $8 each. They came with instructions on how to program them which took about 5 minutes. I did need to have both keys available.
posted by leaper at 10:44 AM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by leaper at 10:44 AM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
I bought a key and a remote on the internet for about $30. I had my non-dealer mechanic program it for me, for free while doing an oil change on my 2014 Toyota. It would have been $>300 at the dealership. No thanks.
posted by so fucking future at 10:49 AM on May 3, 2017
posted by so fucking future at 10:49 AM on May 3, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by fixedgear at 3:59 AM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]