Dealer vs Locksmith

Joined
Jun 4, 2005
Messages
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Location
Cow Hampshire
My new to me 13 Acura RDX that is keyless entry/start came with blank emergency keys. No way in if battery died in car.

Google and everyone says locksmith.

Called two locksmith and both state $125-$175 for aftermarket key dependent on cut.

I try the local Acura dealer and find out $60 for new OEM key and no charge to cut based on VIN with proof of ownership.

Dealer wins !!!
 
My new to me 13 Acura RDX that is keyless entry/start came with blank emergency keys. No way in if battery died in car.

Google and everyone says locksmith.

Called two locksmith and both state $125-$175 for aftermarket key dependent on cut.

I try the local Acura dealer and find out $60 for new OEM key and no charge to cut based on VIN with proof of ownership.

Dealer wins !!!
so the remote is already programmed to the vehicle?
 
There's a chain, possibly national, called "Capt. Car Key". A straight sounding guy at a used car lot told me they're THE WAY to go.
I sold the car before I got the second set made so I have no experience.
This "Captain" also did fobs etc.
 
The keys are probably like on a Ford with them and just a piece of metal to turn the physical lock cylinder on the drriver's door. They can't start the vehicle.
seems odd in that acura remotes have a key in them to open the door. seems redundant to have just a key alone
 
seems odd in that acura remotes have a key in them to open the door. seems redundant to have just a key alone
No, that Acura RDX has push-button start where the fob is a proximity transmitter "electronic key". The physical metal key is used in an emergency to mechanically unlock the door if the battery dies in the vehicle or in the key fob.

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No, that Acura RDX has push-button start where the fob is a proximity transmitter "electronic key". The physical metal key is used in an emergency to mechanically unlock the door if the battery dies in the vehicle or in the key fob.

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yes i understand that . i have hondas and acuras . what i wonder is why he has a blank key unless it a replacement and usually when getting a replacment they program it and cut it at the same time .
 
yes i understand that . i have hondas and acuras . what i wonder is why he has a blank key unless it a replacement and usually when getting a replacment they program it and cut it at the same time .
The previous owner (or dealership) probably bought aftermarket remote fob(s) from Amazon or eBay and never had the metal key blanks cut for to match the door lock cylinders.
 
The previous owner (or dealership) probably bought aftermarket remote fob(s) from Amazon or eBay and never had the metal key blanks cut for to match the door lock cylinders.
well at least he got a programed remote. the last friends i went with to buy used cars , they only had one remote . asked the dealer why and he said its rare when trading in cars the owners bring in both remotes . its jsut not something they think of when trading in a car
 
well at least he got a programed remote. the last friends i went with to buy used cars , they only had one remote . asked the dealer why and he said its rare when trading in cars the owners bring in both remotes . its jsut not something they think of when trading in a car
Annoying. I didn't think to ask when I bought my last car, at least not until we were doing paperwork. $400 mistake on my part.

Inquired about a truck recently and it too has only 1 key, and none for the contractor's cap that it has. not sure how that happened, as it was a prior fleet vehicle. Who knows, maybe the last driver really did lose the keys, just seems like if it was fleet owned, it'd be more likely to have all the keys.

Now I'm asking up front about that!
 
I just paid about $350 & 500 mile round trip to get x2 valet keys made for the ancient 08' Volvo. The OEM switchblade style w/button fob was $700 for x1. In my opinion at this point $60 is a steal for OEM key fob.
 
A supplemental note. A Acura dealer can provide a new cut key and key fob with proof of ownership for a 2014 Acura RDX. Wholesale cost for the key with key fob cut to the Vin is about $200 USD.

Although the key is cut, the fob will require programming to work. I used an autel scanner to program at home a 2104 Acura RDX fob that was purchased from. Acura dealer.
 
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