How to Replace a Lost Key for Buick Excelle?
4 Answers
The service station requires the vehicle and the owner's ID documents. Depending on the model, the service station may also require the owner to provide the 17-digit anti-theft password for key programming. Depending on the model, the locks that need to be replaced vary. If replacing the entire set of locks, more locks will need to be changed.
Just helped my neighbor deal with a lost Buick Excelle key yesterday. My advice is to go to a 4S shop or a large auto parts market immediately. You must bring the vehicle registration certificate and the original ID card of the owner (this is super important). The 4S shop will check the VIN to match a new key. Don’t try to save money by going to a small stall—the Excelle key has an anti-theft chip, and only professional equipment can decode it. The cost at a 4S shop is around 1200 yuan, and it takes about half an hour to make the key. Auto parts markets can do it for 800 yuan, but make sure to choose a shop that specializes in Buick. After getting the key, have the technician test the remote locking/unlocking and ignition functions. Finally, make sure to deactivate the lost key’s chip for security.
As a car mechanic with ten years of experience, dealing with a lost Excelle key can be handled more cost-effectively in two scenarios: If only the mechanical key is lost, simply take the spare key to a locksmith for duplication, which costs around 50 yuan. However, if both the remote and mechanical keys are lost, it becomes more complicated. Don't rush to tow the car; instead, find the barcode on the spare key (the silver keychain provided at purchase) and take your vehicle registration certificate to an auto parts market for specialized equipment programming. The cost for matching the original key chip is approximately 600 yuan, while aftermarket keys cost about 300 yuan but are prone to malfunction. A reminder: Excelle models after 2012 use the fourth-generation anti-theft system, requiring OBD to unlock the engine immobilizer.
Money-Saving Tip from Personal Experience: Open your phone map and search for 'car key matching' to find a mobile locksmith. Last week, I booked through XX platform and only spent 680 yuan (a Buick specialist shop with a 4.9 rating). The technician came with a decoder and required the car purchase invoice and a photo of the owner's ID. Key point: Older Excelle models use 33 chips, while newer ones use 46 chips—don’t mix them up. During the operation, the original car's OBD port must be used to reset the anti-theft system, taking about 20 minutes. Finally, remember to ask the technician to deauthorize the lost key—otherwise, anyone who finds it can still unlock your car!
