Lost car keys - UPDATE

[bluck]

This is probably the most annoying thing to deal with ever! Lost my keys and cant find my second set... I drive a 2001 Honda civic with one of those stupid chip keys. I called the dealership and they said my only option is to tow the car to the dealership so they can replace the key that way using their computer to program me a new one. Is this my only option?


Well folks I've been through hell and back the tow truck came to my house only an hour later then when he said he'd be there forcing me to call the dealership and say I was gonna be there at 4:00 instead of 3:30 for my appointment which is already cutting it close. He then proceeds to try and unlock my car to put it in neutral however he couldn't figure out how to jimmy the lock for at least 20 minutes. Finally switches to the driver side and gets it to open. Now the car is in the garage which I was praying to god wouldn't cause an issue but of course it did. We had the car in neutral but the steering wheel was locked and as we reversed the car out it became apparent that there was no way it wasn't going to hit the edge of the garage. So now I have to call a locksmith to make a copy of my key to unlock the wheel. Which estimated to cost upwards of $165 and then call the tow truck again and then go to the dealership and blow another $200 this has been an absolute god damn ####ing nightmare.

[DownhillGoat]

If it's got a chip/immobilizer that's not an unlikely solution...

Standard keys they can just cut using your vin number and registration. Not sure if that holds true with immobilizers though. Have you tried calling an indy that specializes in Hondas for a second opinion?

There's a locksmith in the city that claims they do chip keys. Would be easier than towing the car.
http://calgary-locksmith.ca/car-locksmith-calgary

[Rudee]

I had to do that when I lost my keys and the spare. Had to get it towed to dealership. Once there, they were able to program me a new key fairly quickly. Getting a locksmith to cut you a new chip key is likely more expensive than just towing the car to the nearest dealeship.

[Ace]

Join AMA, will basically pay for this tow

[Discoste]

I wanted to get another spare key, dealership quoted me $175 (smart key - keyless start).
I called one of those locksmiths that claimed they did chip keys - they said they don't do them anymore (earlier this year).

I think the dealership may be the only route.

[bluck]

The dealership key costs $130.00 called the locksmith guy and they said they only cut keys from 2002 onwards. Anyone on CP wanna hook up a tow :/

Isn't 4x4 good at towing people out of parking spots?

[albertGQ]

I had to get my car towed to the dealership last year for the exact same reason.

I got three sets made to prevent this from happening ever again.

I have the main set, a back up set and my wife has a back up as well

[undercoverbrother]

Obligatory, Do you know where you lost them, question.

[bc-chris]

i heard these work like a charm.....

[Hevishot]

Originally Posted by bluck

The dealership key costs $130.00 called the locksmith guy and they said they only cut keys from 2002 onwards. Anyone on CP wanna hook up a tow :/

Daves towing is el cheapo 403-272-3944 same with EZ towing 403-808-9718

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by bluck

Anyone on CP wanna hook up a tow :/

The advice about joining AMA is great, BTW. $100 or whatever for the year and you'll get the tow and a year's worth of AMA.

It's apparently fairly common. I went to join when I bought my motorcycle and when I signed up the first question they asked me was "Will you be needing a tow truck today?"

[bluck]

I took Kunks and Ace's suggestion and just signed up for AMA. $98 for the year and they can come tow me within the hour.. village honda didn't have a service appointment until monday which is stupid so im towing it to Airdrie. AMA also said they will give me a $50 reimbursement on a set of keys so that makes it worth it right there. So total cost for my stupid mistake is $100 for AMA, + $2.10 a KM so $40.. + $150 for 2 keys.. - $50 for one.. = $240.00 for the most bonehead mistake ever. Not fun. Thanks for all the help CP

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by bluck

$240.00 for the most bonehead mistake ever.

If that's the most boneheaded mistake you've ever made and that's all it cost, you're doing pretty good thus far

[Bill Bumface]

Most manufacturer's keys can be bought online for a fraction of the stealership cost and programmed yourself.

[Jacks]

Ya, $240 is pretty cheap for your biggest mistake, Tiger Woods biggest mistake cost him $100 Million.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Most manufacturer's keys can be bought online for a fraction of the stealership cost and programmed yourself.

You have to have at least one working master key, or you can't program another one.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by zamler

You have to have at least one working master key, or you can't program another one.

Correct, I should have specified that isn't much help for the OP, just for others who have ended up in the same spot. Depends on the manufacturer too, some still need to be ordered by VIN.

[Ace]

BTW...AMA Plus includes up to 160KM of towing, and includes up to $100 of locksmith charges. (I think it's only about $40 more)

[ricosuave]

the second that you get another one cut is the time that you will find your old ones...