A spare car key is a second key that does everything the first one does: it opens the doors and it starts the engine. Transponder keys are common on today's cars, so a working spare usually takes more than copying the metal. The blade is cut to your locks, and the chip inside the key is programmed to your car. We do both where the car is parked, and a regular car key starts at $129.
Why a duplicate car key needs more than a cut
A transponder key carries a small chip in its head. The car reads a code from that chip each time you turn the key, and the engine starts only when the car recognizes it. The system is called an immobilizer, and it exists to stop a car from being hot-wired.
So on a car with an immobilizer, a copy that only matches the cuts opens the door and still does not start the engine. A working duplicate has two parts: a blade cut to your locks and a chip programmed to your car. Our guide to transponder keys explains how the chip works.
The programming takes professional diagnostic equipment, and for certain vehicles the manufacturer's factory software, which we use when required.
Which spare your car takes
The spare depends on the kind of key your car uses.
- A regular key, or chip key, is a metal blade with a chip in the head.
- A remote key puts the blade and the lock, unlock, and trunk buttons in one piece, with the chip inside.
- A smart key, or proximity key, stays in your pocket or bag while you start the car with a push button.
The year, make, and model tell us which one your car takes, so have them ready when you call.
What a spare car key costs
For most domestic, Japanese, and Korean makes, these are our starting prices:
| Key type | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Regular car key | Starting at $129 |
| Remote key or key fob | Starting at $159 |
| Smart key (push-to-start) | Starting at $189 |
Some makes start higher, and our car key replacement cost guide lists every group. We confirm the final price on-site before any work begins. At a dealership, a key fob often runs $400 to $1,000 or more.
Why make the spare while one key still works
A spare made while one key still works is a quicker job than a first key made from scratch. It is also a job you can book for a day that suits you, at your home or your office.
Lose the only key, and the car stays wherever it was parked until a new key is made. We can still make and program a new key from scratch, and our guide to lost car keys with no spare covers that job. A spare is how you avoid needing it.
If one of your keys was lost or stolen, we can also reset the immobilizer as an optional service. It removes previously lost or stolen keys and fobs from your vehicle's system, so they can no longer start the car.
How we make a spare at your car
- Call with the year, make, and model, and tell us which keys still work.
- We come to your home, your office, or wherever the car is parked.
- We check a photo ID and proof that the car is yours: the registration, insurance card, title, or bill of sale.
- We confirm the final price on-site before any work begins.
- We cut the spare, program it to your car, and test it before the job is finished.
Need a spare car key in Atlanta?
Call (470) 668-2196 with the year, make, and model. Have the key that still works with you, along with your photo ID and proof of ownership. We work Tuesday through Sunday from 7 AM to 7 PM, Wednesday until 5 PM, and we are closed on Mondays.
We cover Atlanta and more than 20 surrounding cities, listed on our service area page. You can read more about the service on our car key replacement page.