It’s a common question for Chevy Impala owners: can you program a new key fob yourself? For your 2016 Chevy Impala LTZ, the answer is yes, you absolutely can. Your vehicle is designed to recognize and operate with more than just two key fobs. The challenge, however, often lies in the mechanical key portion that comes with new aftermarket key fobs. These keys are usually blank and require cutting to match your car’s ignition and door lock. This physical key is crucial because it’s needed to initiate the key fob programming sequence directly in your vehicle.
While online retailers offer key fobs at significantly lower prices than dealerships, you’ll need a functional, cut key to proceed with the DIY programming. The programming procedure itself is detailed in your Chevy Impala owner’s manual, and we’ll outline the steps here for your convenience.
Step-by-Step Guide to Program Your 2016 Chevy Impala Key Fob
Here’s how to program your new key fob for your 2016 Chevy Impala, assuming you have a new key fob with a key that has been cut to match your vehicle’s locks.
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Prepare Your Existing and New Key Fobs: Ensure you have your existing, working key fob and your new, uncut or cut key fob ready. Locate the special key fob holder in your center console. This holder is designed to assist in starting the vehicle if your key fob battery is low.
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Initiate Programming Mode:
- Remove the cap covering the manual key cylinder on your driver’s side door handle.
- Insert the newly cut mechanical key into the door lock cylinder.
- Turn the key to the unlock position and then back to the center position five times within a 10-second timeframe.
- Successfully completing this step will trigger the vehicle to enter programming mode. You should see a message on your Driver Information Center (DIC) display that reads “READY FOR REMOTE #”, with the number indicating the next available key fob slot (e.g., 2, 3, 4, or 5).
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Program the New Key Fob:
- Remove your working key fob from your pocket or wherever it is stored.
- Place your new key fob into the designated holder in the center console, replacing the working fob.
- With the new key fob in the holder, press the START/STOP button on your dashboard.
- The DIC should display a message confirming that it has accepted the new remote. It may also indicate that it is “READY FOR NEXT TRANSMITTER” if you wish to program additional key fobs.
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Exit Programming Mode:
- To finalize the programming and exit the programming mode, press and hold the START/STOP button for approximately 12 seconds.
- The system will exit programming mode, and your newly programmed key fob should now be fully functional with your 2016 Chevy Impala.
The Key Cutting Hurdle
As mentioned earlier, the primary hurdle in DIY key fob programming for your 2016 Chevy Impala often comes down to the mechanical key. While you can purchase replacement fobs online at a lower cost, these typically come with an uncut key blade. Unfortunately, cutting these specialized car keys requires precision equipment that is usually only available at dealerships or certified locksmiths.
While you might consider swapping the key portion from your old, working fob into the new one, this approach has drawbacks. If you ever encounter a situation where your keyless entry system fails due to a dead battery or another issue, you would need a physical key to unlock your door. Having a second remote with an identical, swapped key doesn’t solve this potential problem.
Conclusion
Programming a new key fob for your 2016 Chevy Impala is indeed possible at home, saving you potentially significant labor costs from the dealership. However, factor in the necessity of getting the mechanical key cut. In some cases, considering the key cutting requirement, having the dealership handle both the key cutting and programming might be a convenient, albeit potentially more expensive, option. Regardless of your choice, understanding the DIY programming process empowers you to make an informed decision for your key fob needs.
