Posted: 6/15/2015 11:31:54 AM EDT
|
We recently bought a Subaru that came with a chipped key. Now Subaru dealership closest to us says the key blank is $46 and programming it is an additional $50! So around $100 per key.
I've seen online where some cut open chipped keys and tape the chip near the ignition cylinder. But this Subaru key is ridiculously thick and the positioning of the chip is along the outer edge so I'm a little worried about damaging it. Is prying out the chip to avoid the high cost of copies common or does no one really do it? Will the dealership do it for me if I ask or is that against policy? Never had a car that didn't come with at least two working keys so this is the first time I've had to pay for another one and if I can get around the $100-$200 charge without screwing anything up, I'd prefer to do so. Thanks -Emt1581 |
| Chipped keys provide strong protection against vehicle theft - if you leave the chip in the car (whether cut out of the key as you propose, or the whole key as is common with remote start devices), then you are making it much easier for someone to steal your car. It may even affect your insurance... you might want to research whether they can decline to pay out if your car is stolen. What if you screw up the chip when removing it? For the price of an average family restaurant visit, I would not take the risk. |
|
Quoted:
Chipped keys provide strong protection against vehicle theft - if you leave the chip in the car (whether cut out of the key as you propose, or the whole key as is common with remote start devices), then you are making it much easier for someone to steal your car. It may even affect your insurance... you might want to research whether they can decline to pay out if your car is stolen. What if you screw up the chip when removing it? For the price of an average family restaurant visit, I would not take the risk. Average family restaurant visit? Around here, even the gourmet (3 leafs of lettuce on the plate with a bite of steak)....is around $100 for the three of us! So I'm not sure that's a fair comparison. Good points on the insurance. Just got the out the door price...$108 for the key! Now I did get a free 2nd remote thrown in and programming that looks to be just playing with the ignition and driver door. So that way we'll have a full spare set. (Another) Bitch of it is you can't exactly use a hide-a-key for these as it's not just a thin piece of metal but rather a remote and a thick key to go with it. Thanks -Emt1581 |
|
(Another) Bitch of it is you can't exactly use a hide-a-key for these as it's not just a thin piece of metal but rather a remote and a thick key to go with it. Well, you could get a standard key cut, but it would only allow you to unlock the door (to get to the key locked inside) and not start the car |
|
Quoted:
(Another) Bitch of it is you can't exactly use a hide-a-key for these as it's not just a thin piece of metal but rather a remote and a thick key to go with it. Well, you could get a standard key cut, but it would only allow you to unlock the door (to get to the key locked inside) and not start the car Right but I'm thinking that might also set off the alarm system and without a key fob handy (and with some cars a chipped key) the alarm just keeps going and can temporarily disable the car's ignition. This was the case with my 92 Loyale. I had a remote starter when they became popular and without fail it would piss off the car's system and as a defense it would refuse to start for around 15min. Thanks though. -Emt1581 |
|
Quoted: Right but I'm thinking that might also set off the alarm system and without a key fob handy (and with some cars a chipped key) the alarm just keeps going and can temporarily disable the car's ignition. This was the case with my 92 Loyale. I had a remote starter when they became popular and without fail it would piss off the car's system and as a defense it would refuse to start for around 15min. Thanks though. -Emt1581 Quoted: Quoted: (Another) Bitch of it is you can't exactly use a hide-a-key for these as it's not just a thin piece of metal but rather a remote and a thick key to go with it. Well, you could get a standard key cut, but it would only allow you to unlock the door (to get to the key locked inside) and not start the car Right but I'm thinking that might also set off the alarm system and without a key fob handy (and with some cars a chipped key) the alarm just keeps going and can temporarily disable the car's ignition. This was the case with my 92 Loyale. I had a remote starter when they became popular and without fail it would piss off the car's system and as a defense it would refuse to start for around 15min. Thanks though. -Emt1581  Now I keep a spare door key hidden in the frame. |