Yes, most Walmart locations with an Auto Care Center can cut basic car keys. This service is a convenient and affordable option for replacing standard, non-electronic keys. However, they generally cannot program transponder chips or sophisticated key fobs that are essential for starting most modern vehicles. For a simple key duplication, you can expect to pay between $2 and $6 for the cutting service itself, plus the cost of the blank key, which typically brings the total to under $20.
The process is straightforward. You bring your existing key to the Auto Care Center or the key-cutting kiosk, often located near the entrance. An associate will use a key-cutting machine to duplicate the pattern onto a new blank. The entire process usually takes just a few minutes. The major limitation is technology. Cars made in the last 20+ years often use keys with an embedded transponder chip that communicates with the car's immobilizer system. Even if Walmart cuts the physical key, it won't start the car without being programmed, a service typically requiring specialized diagnostic tools found at dealerships or locksmiths.
It's a perfect solution if you need a spare for an older car, a valet key, or just to have a backup. But for a primary key to a modern car, you'll likely need to visit a locksmith or your car's dealership to handle the programming aspect after the key is cut.
