Key Fob Copy in Vancouver: How It Works and What It Costs

If you've still got one working fob and just want a spare cut, you're in luck. This is a quicker, cheaper job than replacing a lost key because the locksmith can pull the programming data straight off your existing fob instead of starting from zero. Bring the working fob with you (it has to be present for most of these jobs) and expect to be in and out in under an hour for most makes.

What's the difference between copying a fob and replacing a lost one?

Copying means you hand over a fob that still works and the locksmith cuts a matching key blade, then programs a second fob to the car's computer alongside the first one. Replacing a lost key, or an all-keys-lost job where none of your fobs work anymore, is a different process entirely. It usually needs the vehicle's security module reset or accessed through the OBD port, takes longer, and costs more. If you want the full breakdown on that scenario, our Automotive Locksmith Vancouver page covers both situations.

How does the actual cutting and programming work?

Two things happen, usually back to back at your car:

• Mechanical cutting. If your fob has a physical blade, it gets cut on a key machine using either a blank matched to your original or the code read off the fob's chip. Pure proximity fobs with no blade skip this step entirely.
• Electronic programming. The locksmith connects a programming tool to your car's OBD2 port and adds the new fob as an authorized key, without erasing the one you already have. This is what lets both fobs start the car afterward.

Most vehicles allow up to four or eight fobs on file depending on the make, so adding a spare rarely causes problems unless you're already at the car's limit.

Basic remote fob vs smart proximity fob: does it change the job?

Yes, and it changes the price. A basic remote head key, the kind with a fold-out blade and buttons, is the simpler and cheaper copy. A smart or proximity fob, the kind that stays in your pocket and lets you push a button to start the car, needs a blank with an internal antenna and a longer programming sequence. Some proximity systems also need a second working fob present just to confirm the add, so check this if you're down to your last one.

What does it typically cost in Vancouver, and how long does it take?

As a rough guide: a basic remote fob copy typically runs $150 to $350 CAD including the blank and programming. A smart or proximity fob copy typically runs $250 to $450 CAD, mostly because the blanks cost more and programming takes longer. Most jobs are done in 30 to 60 minutes at your location, though some German and Korean makes need extra time due to longer security handshakes. These are typical ranges, not a quote, since the exact blank and programming time depends on your make, model and year.

Which vehicles can't get a fob copied this way?

Almost every make can have a spare fob added using the working-key method described above. The one firm exception at Safe & Secure Locksmith is all-keys-lost work on Mercedes-Benz models from 2016 onward, which isn't something we take on regardless of the vehicle. If you've still got a working Mercedes fob and just want a spare cut and added, that's a different job and usually fine. If all your Mercedes keys are gone and the car is a 2016 model year or newer, you'll need to go through the dealer for that specific scenario.

What to do first

Find your working fob and check that it still starts the car reliably. If the battery's weak or the buttons are intermittent, swap the battery first (most are a CR2032 or CR2025, a $5 job at any pharmacy) so you're not troubleshooting two problems at once. Have your vehicle parked somewhere accessible, since most of this work happens curbside rather than in a shop.

If you're not sure whether your car takes a basic remote or a proximity fob, or you're already down to one working key and don't want to risk losing it before a spare exists, it's worth calling ahead rather than guessing. Have your vehicle's make, model and year ready, along with the fob you currently have, and we can tell you what blank and programming your car needs before anyone shows up.

Frequently asked questions

Can you copy a key fob without the original?

Not in the way described here. Without a working fob present, it becomes an all-keys-lost job, which needs a different process involving the car's security module and usually costs more and takes longer.

Do I need to bring my car, or just the fob?

Bring the car. Programming a new fob requires connecting to the vehicle's onboard computer through the OBD2 port, so the fob alone isn't enough.

Will copying a fob disable my original key?

No, not when it's done correctly. The new fob gets added as an additional key, and your original keeps working unless you specifically ask to have an old, lost, or stolen fob removed from the system.