Replacing a car key fob can feel like highway robbery. Dealerships often quote exorbitant prices, making you wonder if you’re paying more for the fancy waiting room than the actual key. Like many car owners, I found myself needing a new key fob and balking at the quoted costs. This led me down a DIY path that not only saved me a significant amount of money but also gave me a cool new skill – key fob cloning!
The initial quotes I received were eye-watering. Just for a simple key cutting and programming, local services were echoing the same mantra: “We can get you the remote, cut it, and program it for $160.” This was even after I explained I already had the remote! It became clear that the key cutting, the most straightforward part, was being inflated by bundled services I didn’t need. Even Ace Hardware, known for key services, quoted me $200 for a complete replacement, and a still pricey $25 just for the cut, with a caveat about potential damage to my own blank key.
Frustrated but determined, I took a gamble. For around $130, I invested in a Chinese key milling machine online. This was a bit of an adventure, venturing into the world of DIY key cutting. It might sound extreme, but considering the cost of even a couple of dealership replacements, and my plan to handle keys for multiple vehicles, it seemed like a worthwhile investment. Plus, the idea of mastering key cloning was genuinely appealing!
My project involved going from a basic valet key to a full-fledged remote key. Initially, I misjudged the difference, focusing on the key tip. However, the real distinction lay in the key blade’s thickness. While my DIY key cutting wasn’t factory-perfect – unlike services boasting precision cuts from database profiles – it worked flawlessly in all locks: door, ignition, glovebox, and hatch. The final step was programming the fob, easily done with a Vagtacho cable I picked up for just $20. And just like that, a fully functional key fob, programmed by yours truly!
Let’s break down the costs:
- Key Fob (Alibaba): $9 each
- Vagtacho Cable: $20
- Key Cutting: My cost was $130 for the machine, but you might find local cutting services for around $25, or perhaps even explore options at places like Batteries Plus that offer key cutting services alongside their battery and fob sales.
Even factoring in the milling machine, which I can now use for future keys, the savings are substantial. Had I opted for professional cutting at $25, the total DIY cost would have been under $50 per key – a fraction of the dealership or even Batteries Plus replacement prices I was quoted. Discovering dedicated HU66 key cutters for $45 later was just icing on the cake!
To share this money-saving hack, I’m planning a YouTube video detailing the entire DIY key fob replacement process, from start to finish. If you’re tired of overpaying for car keys and are ready for a little DIY, let me know in the comments – there might be more people looking for affordable alternatives to Batteries Plus and dealership key services than we realize!
