Can Regular Car Keys Be Duplicated?
2 Answers
Regular car keys can be duplicated. Replacing the key battery: Gently press the small switch on the back of the key to remove the mechanical key. Then, use the mechanical key to open the key cover by inserting it into the slot next to the key and gently prying it open. After removing the key compartment cover, you will see the position of the old battery. It is recommended to use a small flathead screwdriver for easier removal of the old battery. Ensure the new battery is installed with the positive side facing up. Reassemble the key cover and mechanical key, and verify that the key functions properly. Precautions for replacing car keys: The chip inside the car key contains an induction coil that can automatically charge. Different cars have different chips, so avoid mixing them up.
I was really worried when I lost my car key last time, so I asked the locksmith in our neighborhood for advice. For old-style mechanical keys without chips, you can indeed get a direct copy, which costs just over ten yuan at a hardware store. However, most cars nowadays come with an engine immobilizer system, and the keys contain encrypted chips, so they can't be copied casually. Last time I got a chipped key copied, the locksmith had to first crack the factory password and then use special equipment to program the new key code. A heads-up: when getting an immobilizer key copied, make sure to bring all the old keys. If even one is missing, the entire car system needs to be reset, doubling the repair cost. Prices vary greatly by brand—German cars are the most painful, with a single key costing nearly two thousand yuan, while Japanese cars are more affordable at around seven or eight hundred yuan.
