A dead or lost key fob does not mean a trip to the dealer. We cut and program
replacement fobs at your vehicle, anywhere in St. Louis City or County, usually
in a single visit.
Most drivers only find out what a fob costs when they need one. The dealer quote
is often two to three times what a mobile locksmith charges, and it comes with a tow
if the vehicle will not start. We come to the car instead.
What a replacement fob actually involves
There are two halves to the job, and the second is the one people forget. The
physical key or blade has to be cut to your vehicle’s lock, and the fob’s chip has to
be paired to your car’s immobiliser. A fob that
has not been programmed will open nothing and start nothing — it is a piece of plastic.
We do both on site with the equipment in the van.
Fobs we replace
- Push-to-start proximity fobs — the type you keep in your pocket
- Remote head keys — blade and buttons in one unit
- Transponder keys — chipped keys that must be paired to start
- Separate remotes — where the blade and the remote are two pieces
Lost every fob you own?
All-keys-lost is a normal job for us rather than a dealer-only one. It takes longer
than cutting a spare, because the vehicle has to be accessed and the immobiliser
re-taught from scratch, but it is done at the roadside. See
car key replacement for the full process.
What it costs
Price depends on the make, the model year and the type of fob — a basic transponder
is at the cheap end, a push-to-start proximity fob for a recent model is at the top.
We confirm the exact figure on site before any work begins, so nothing on the invoice
is a surprise. We do not quote a final price over the phone, because until we see the
vehicle any number would be a guess.
Cheaper than the dealer, and no tow. That is the honest summary.
Get a fob replaced
Call (314) 916-6766. Open daily 5:30am – 11:30pm.
Serving St. Louis City and County, St. Charles,
Chesterfield, Ballwin
and the surrounding suburbs.
**Can you replace a key fob without the original?**
Yes. All-keys-lost is routine for us. We cut a new blade and program the fob to your
vehicle at the roadside — no tow to the dealer.
**Is a locksmith cheaper than the dealership for a key fob?**
Usually, and by a meaningful margin. You also avoid towing the vehicle, which is often
the larger cost when the car will not start.
**Do you program push-to-start proximity fobs?**
Yes. Proximity fobs, transponder keys and remote head keys are all programmed on site.
**How long does a replacement fob take?**
A spare is usually quick. All-keys-lost takes longer because the immobiliser has to be
re-taught from scratch. We give you a realistic time on the call.
**Will a fob bought online work if I program it myself?**
Sometimes, but many aftermarket fobs are locked to a region or already paired to
another vehicle and cannot be re-used. We tell you before you spend money on one.
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