Losing your car keys is a stressful experience, and it’s even worse when it’s your Mazda 3 Replacement Key Fob, leaving you stranded and facing potentially hefty dealership charges. My own “key fiasco” started on a trip to a Notre Dame & Oklahoma game, where my sole car key vanished, likely lost somewhere between the party bus and the stadium bleachers. To make matters worse, my spare key was MIA after a recent move. Stranded with my 2011 Mazda 3 S Sport in a Meijer parking lot, I knew I needed a solution fast.
The initial quote from the Mazda dealership was shocking: $375 – $450, plus towing, just for a new switchblade key with a fob! Determined to find a more affordable option for my Mazda 3 replacement key fob, I began exploring alternatives to the dealership.
That’s when I discovered High Tech Locksmith (hightechlocksmith.com). They promised on-the-spot service from their mobile van. After checking their solid online reputation and BBB rating, I decided to call. They quoted me $160 for two basic, non-switchblade keys, including programming and key cutting. Realizing I needed at least two working keys to avoid future lockouts, this price seemed reasonable. I scheduled an appointment.
The locksmith arrived and performed what I can only describe as automotive key wizardry. First, using the “pillow and door hanger trick,” he expertly unlocked my Mazda 3. After verifying my ownership with ID and registration, he accessed the secret key code. By removing the driver’s side door handle, he revealed the 5-digit key code etched inside, used by Mazda for key cutting. Back in his van, he inputted the code and, within minutes, produced two keys that unlocked the doors and turned the ignition – but wouldn’t start the car yet, as programming was still needed.
Next came the tech magic. He connected a tablet-like device to the OBD-II port under my dashboard. With a few taps on the tablet and the insertion of each new key, he programmed them to my car. In under nine minutes, both keys were fully functional, the door handle was reinstalled, and my Mazda 3 roared to life! I was incredibly impressed.
