Buy Car Keys Online - Okey DoKey Locksmith

If you need a replacement or spare car key, you do not necessarily have to purchase it directly from a dealership or locksmith. Many car keys and remotes can be purchased online, including mechanical key blanks, transponder keys, remote-head keys, proximity keys, and replacement keyless-entry remotes.

Buying the correct key online can reduce the cost of car key replacement, particularly when you already have a working key and simply want a spare. The important part is making sure the key, blade, transponder, remote electronics, and frequency are compatible with your specific vehicle.

Below are three places where you can buy car keys online. After purchasing the correct key, you may still need key cutting and programming before it will operate your vehicle.

Buying Car Keys Online

Online automotive key suppliers sell replacement keys for many vehicle makes and models. Depending on your vehicle, you may be able to purchase an inexpensive mechanical key blank, a transponder key with an embedded chip, a remote-head key, or a complete smart key.

The key itself is only one part of the replacement process. An online seller can supply the hardware, but the blade may still need to be cut and the electronics may need to be programmed to the vehicle.

For this reason, compare the complete cost of the replacement car key rather than looking only at the price of the blank or remote.

Types of Car Keys You Can Buy Online

The type of replacement key you need depends largely on the vehicle's year, make, model, trim, and factory security system.

Mechanical Car Keys

Older vehicles may use a conventional mechanical key without an electronic immobilizer chip. These keys normally need only the correct blank and blade cut.

Transponder Keys

A transponder key contains an electronic chip that communicates with the vehicle's immobilizer system. A correctly cut blade may turn the ignition, but the vehicle generally will not start until the transponder is recognized by the vehicle.

Remote-Head Keys

A remote-head key combines the mechanical blade, transponder chip, and remote-control buttons into one key. Compatibility may depend on more than the physical appearance of the key.

Laser-Cut Keys

Laser-cut car keys, also called sidewinder or high-security keys, use a different blade design from conventional edge-cut keys. They require compatible cutting equipment.

Smart & Proximity Keys

Vehicles with push-button start commonly use a smart proximity key. These keys communicate electronically with the vehicle and generally require vehicle-specific programming.

Check Vehicle Compatibility Before Buying

Two car keys can look almost identical and still be electronically incompatible. Before ordering, compare all available information for your original key and vehicle.

Useful information can include the vehicle year, make and model, key style, blade type, FCC ID, manufacturer part number, remote frequency, number of buttons, and transponder type when applicable.

If you still have an original key or remote, check its identifying information before ordering a replacement. Vehicle identification information such as the VIN may also help identify the correct application.

Where to Buy Car Keys Online

There are many online sources for automotive keys and remotes. The following three options provide different ways to shop for replacement keys and remotes. Always verify compatibility and the seller's current terms before ordering.

What About Cutting the Car Key?

An online key purchase may arrive as an uncut key blank. The blade must then be cut to operate the vehicle's door or ignition lock.

Conventional edge-cut keys and high-security laser-cut keys require different equipment. Before purchasing a blank, make sure you have a practical way to get that particular blade cut.

Some online services can also provide a key already cut from a key code, photograph, VIN information, or another supported method. See our cut keys online guide for more information about these options.

What About Car Key Programming?

Cutting makes the physical blade fit the lock. Car key programming deals with the electronic portion of the key.

If your vehicle uses an immobilizer, the transponder must be recognized by the vehicle before the key can start the engine. Remote buttons and smart-key functions may also require programming or synchronization.

Some vehicles support owner-performed procedures under certain conditions, while others require compatible automotive key-programming equipment. Programming requirements can also change between model years of the same vehicle.

If every working key has been lost, the procedure may be different from adding a spare while a working key is still available.

Before You Order a Car Key Online

Check the listing carefully before purchasing. Do not assume that a replacement is compatible simply because it has the same shape and buttons as your existing key.

Verify the vehicle application, blade, FCC ID or part number when applicable, frequency, transponder requirements, and whether the product is new, refurbished, or only an empty replacement shell.

Also determine whether the price includes key cutting or programming. A very inexpensive listing may be only an uncut blank, shell, or replacement case rather than a complete functioning key.

If you are dealing with an all keys lost situation, compare the total cost and complexity with having a mobile automotive locksmith perform the complete key replacement at the vehicle.

Related Car Key Information

• Car Key Replacement
• Cut Keys Online
• Transponder Keys
• What Is a VIN?