Car key replacement in Midtown Toronto is often a planned job rather than an emergency. Many of the calls come from people who bought a used car with a single key and want a spare before that one goes missing. A local technician comes to the driveway or the street where the car is parked, copies or decodes the blade, and programs a second chip key, remote or smart key to the car. The price is quoted from your make, model and year before anyone is sent.
Should you erase the previous owner's keys?
If you do not know how many keys the car had, yes. The seller may have kept a spare or a valet key. When the technician programs your new key, many cars allow the key list to be cleared and rebuilt, so only the keys in your hand will start the car. Bring every key you have, because any key not present at that moment stops working.
Where can the technician work?
Anywhere the driver's door opens fully; on a street with permit or timed parking, check the car can stay put for the length of the job.
Spare or full replacement?
If your one key still works well, get a spare: it is cheaper and faster. If it is cracked, the blade is worn or the buttons are failing, ask about two fresh keys instead of copying a tired one.
Before the technician arrives
- Every key you received with the car.
- The ownership in your name and photo ID.
- Make, model and year.
- How many keys you want to end up with.
Midtown spare key questions
The ownership has not been transferred to me yet. Can I still get a key?
Tell us when you call. The technician has to be able to tie you to the car, and we explain what paperwork works before anyone is sent.
Can a flip key with a broken hinge be fixed?
Often. The board and chip can move into a new shell, which is cheaper than a new key.
How many keys should a car have?
At least two. With only one, losing it turns a simple copy into an all keys lost job.
Can the valet key be erased too?
On cars that support clearing the key list, every key not present is removed, valet key included.
One key for a used car?
Call (416) 555-0150 and ask for a spare and a key list reset.