I just got my first car (used). I want to get a replacement key but my partner says I have to go to the dealership. Why can’t I just rekey my existing key at Home Depot? What’s this chip thing in keys that I heard about?
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There is a device in the car that “reads” a code broadcast by a chip in the key. If it doesn’t get the right code, the car won’t work properly. It’s to prevent people from forcing the key cylinder or hotwiring it and driving off.
You have to be able to look up the right code based on the VIN to produce a key with the correct code in the chip.
Quite a few cars more than just the dealer can do that, but the dealer always can and other vendors can sometimes be a bit sketchy so people tend to just go to the dealer despite the expense.
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