Car Key Duplication
A spare key made while you still have a working one. Quicker and cheaper than waiting until every key is gone.
A spare car key is one of those things nobody thinks about until they need it, at which point it costs considerably more. While you still have a working key, making a second one is the simplest and cheapest job in automotive locksmithing.
Once every key is gone it becomes car key replacement, which typically involves more steps. Having a working key available is what makes the difference.
Why a spare is worth having
- Cars sold used often come with only one key, and the second one was lost years ago by someone else.
- A single key means one bad day away from a much bigger problem.
- Two drivers sharing one key is a scheduling problem waiting to happen.
- Fobs fail. Buttons stop working, cases crack, they end up in washing machines.
Keys we duplicate
- Basic mechanical keys.
- Transponder keys.
- Remote head keys.
- Flip keys.
- Proximity fobs and push-to-start smart keys.
Cutting the metal blade is only half of it. Anything with a chip also has to be paired to the vehicle, which is programming. A key that is cut but not programmed will open the door and will not start the engine.
Done at your vehicle
Cutting and programming both happen at the car. A driveway, a workplace parking lot, wherever it is parked. There is nothing to drop off and nothing to collect.
What we need to know
- Year, make and model.
- What kind of key you currently have.
- How many spares you want.
If you have already bought a key online and want it cut and programmed, we can do that too, provided the part is correct for your vehicle. See car key programming for how to check the part number before ordering.
Common questions
Can a hardware store not just copy my car key?
They can copy the metal blade, and that will open the door. It will not start the car, because the chip inside has to be paired to the vehicle. That pairing needs equipment a key-cutting kiosk does not have.
How many spares should I have?
Two working keys is the sensible minimum, kept in different places. A third is worth it for a household where more than one person drives the car.
Is it cheaper than replacing a lost key?
A spare key is usually less expensive than an all keys lost replacement because there is already a working key available, and the procedure often requires fewer steps. The actual difference depends on the vehicle, key type and programming requirements.
Can you duplicate a key that is already worn out?
Sometimes, but a copy of a worn key inherits the wear. Where the original is badly worn we would usually cut a fresh key to the vehicle’s code instead, which gives you a key that works better than the one you have.
Do you come to me?
Yes. All of it happens at the vehicle.
Communities we serve
Get Car Key Duplication in Columbus
Call if it is urgent. Send a request if you want a quote first.