Can car keys be duplicated? Here's what you need to know

Plain blade keys

Older vehicles without an immobilizer use a purely mechanical key. That one is easy to copy: the blade cut is reproduced on a blank, and you're done.

In Canada, new vehicles have required an immobilizer since 2007, and many models had one well before. So unless your car is fairly old, your key probably holds a chip.

Transponder chip keys

A chip key looks like an ordinary key, but its head hides a transponder. A blade copy will open the door, but the engine won't start until the new chip is registered in the vehicle.

Some chips can be cloned from the existing key; others must be programmed directly into the car's computer. An automotive locksmith does both and tells you which suits your model.

Remotes and smart keys

For keys with a built-in remote, the lock buttons also need programming. For push-to-start smart keys, a new key is programmed into the vehicle's system with specialized equipment.

On these keys, the emergency blade hidden in the shell must also be cut to open the door if the key battery dies.

What to have ready before you call

To get a fair price and avoid a second trip, note the make, model and year of the vehicle, and look at the type of key: a plain blade, a key with a rigid head that often hides a chip, a remote head key, or a smart key with no visible blade. A photo of the key sent by text helps a lot, because it tells the locksmith which blank and which equipment to bring.

Also have your vehicle registration and a piece of ID handy. A reputable locksmith checks that the car is yours before making a key that can start it. If the vehicle is leased or registered to a company, plan for the owner's authorization, such as a letter or an email from the fleet manager.

Finally, think ahead: when you sell the vehicle, handing the buyer two working keys is reassuring and makes the sale easier. And if you buy a used car that came with only one key, have a second one made in the first few weeks, while that single key still works properly and the job is simple and affordable.

How long a duplicate takes

For a plain blade, cutting takes only a few minutes. A cloned or programmed chip key takes longer, and a smart key can take more time depending on the make and the manufacturer's procedure. In most cases everything is done in a single visit, right where the car is parked: your driveway, your workplace lot or a shopping centre.

Some makes require a longer security procedure or a specific code to add a key. In those cases we tell you on the phone before we leave, so you know what to expect and the quoted price reflects the actual time the job will take.

What doesn't copy easily

Some recent systems limit how many keys can be registered, or require equipment reserved for the dealer on certain very recent models. That isn't the majority of vehicles, but it's why we always check your exact model before promising a key. If a dealer visit is truly needed, we tell you so up front.

A blade cut at a hardware store, without a chip, opens the door but won't start the car. It can still help in a pinch to retrieve items from the cabin; you just need to know it doesn't replace a real programmed key.

Where and when to get a spare

A hardware store can cut a plain blade but generally doesn't program chips. The dealer can do everything, often with an appointment and ordering delay. An automotive locksmith comes to you and does the blade and programming on site.

The best time for a spare is while you still have a working key: it's simpler and cheaper than starting from scratch after losing them all.