Can Regular Car Keys Be Duplicated?
4 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.
As a veteran taxi driver with twenty years of experience, I'm all too familiar with key duplication. Regular car keys come in two types: purely mechanical and those with chips. Mechanical keys can be copied for just ten bucks at any hardware stall, but nowadays 90% of cars require smart keys. Last month, my buddy's Hyundai ended up in the river, and after retrieval, all the keys were ruined. To get a new key from the dealership, you need to bring the purchase invoice to verify the VIN, and the material cost alone exceeds 800 yuan—more expensive than roadside shops but hassle-free. Here's a tip: always keep the small metal tag on your key safe; the numbers stamped on it can speed up the key duplication process. If you're duplicating a third key, some car models require reprogramming. Never cut corners by going to unqualified shops, as this might trigger the anti-theft system and lock your car.
Last time I helped my father-in-law get a car key made, I realized there's a lot to it. His old Jetta key, with its plastic handle and purely mechanical structure, could be copied for just twenty bucks at a key-making stall in the market. But my Buick was a different story—the clerk explained that the key has an RF chip inside and requires original equipment to match. The most surprising part was the time it took: I thought it would be ready immediately, but I ended up waiting three hours. The technician said they needed to connect to General Motors' database to download security certificates. He suggested checking the owner's manual first when getting a key made, as having the model-specific password card makes things much easier. Nowadays, some high-end cars are even more complicated. For example, if my friend's BMW loses a key, all the lock cylinders have to be replaced, costing nearly ten thousand yuan.
