Spare Key

[Jack in Alaska]

My extra hidden key in a magnetic box is laying somewhere along the 85k miles I have driven.

The dealer wants 2 arms and a leg for one so... ... ... .....



IKEY.com sold me one for $10 plus shipping. I took it to the Ace Hardware store and had it cut for $1. 99.

I then followed the instructions to program the chip in it. You need to have two working keys to do it yourself. If you only have one key you need to go the the dealer in your best bent over position with lube and get them to cut and program it.

Having two keys makes it about a $25 deal.

 

[RobertHiltz]

I got to do that twice. Bought a used key for the electronics and a new blank then went to the dealer. They could not reprogram the used key, they were able to charge me full price though. Cost just under $90 programming fee and I had to do it twice.

 

[TLane]

My spare key box has a non-chipped key from Ace. Opens the door, it will start but dies after 2 seconds. I have a second key with a chip (but no remote) that I bought online just in case I loose one of the original keys, I'll still have 2 keys to program a new one with.

Just one of things I learned on TDR that makes it worthwhile.

 

[Grizzly]

I, like TLane, also have a non chipped key hidden and wired to the truck in a non-conspicuous place to unlock the door if needed. I also have an chipped key, which my dealer gave me, hidden inside my truck. I do this to all my vehicles.



george

 

[DanSullivan]

If you belong to AAA you can have them make you a credit card key, and keep it in your walet. This is what I do, and have had to use it once. It will open the door and let you in, if you leave the truck running and lock the door as you get out. You can always hid the second key in the truck

 

[MBHall]

Do all Keys have a chip in them ? What do the chiped keys look like ?

 

[TimothyLong]

Do all Keys have a chip in them ? What do the chiped keys look like ?

No, not all of them, but I think that most all of the newer ones do have a chip in them. My '03 does not. The biggest difference between the keys with chips and those without is the top part of the key where the rubber grip is. The keys with chips have a fat, some even look pregnant, grip while the keys without chips are very flat. If you aren't sure if you have a key with a chip, take it to some place that makes keys. They should have a device that can detect whether or not you have a key with a chip. My local Home Depot has one of those devices.