grind an extra key

[muniorbust]

My old car had regular old keys and I had a few extras made. At different times I've kept one in my wallet, hidden under my car, and in my backpack when I was packing light.

My Sonic key blade is different.
Can key grinders copy these?
Will the alarm sound if I don't unlock with the fob? Then what?

 

[sbpphoenix]

Laser cut... so no. Alarm will sound.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

 

[gsxr1000]

i believe the alarm will sound but you start the car with the key it will stop the alarm... i lost my battery in my fob once and had to do it

 

[Swordsmith]

My F150 has a coded key, cost over $150 to get a spare key back when I got it. I locked my key in the car, a locksmith came out, got me in, and made me a non-coded copy of the key which I keep in my wallet. Then, when I lock the keys in, as I do once or twice a year, I just pull out the wallet spare, open the door, and there are my driving keys.

Can't do this, as far as I know, for the Sonic. On the plus side, I was able to reprogram the Sonic so it is impossible to lock the driver's side door except via the key fob, so I am unable to lock my key in there in the first place.

I would like a spare key or two, though, one for me, one for my son who is learning to drive, and one for my HGF who uses the car nearly as often as I do. Anyone price getting a real spare made at the dealer? Hopefully not $150 each these days?

 

[RoXXXanne13]

My F150 has a coded key, cost over $150 to get a spare key back when I got it. I locked my key in the car, a locksmith came out, got me in, and made me a non-coded copy of the key which I keep in my wallet. Then, when I lock the keys in, as I do once or twice a year, I just pull out the wallet spare, open the door, and there are my driving keys.

Can't do this, as far as I know, for the Sonic. On the plus side, I was able to reprogram the Sonic so it is impossible to lock the driver's side door except via the key fob, so I am unable to lock my key in there in the first place.

I would like a spare key or two, though, one for me, one for my son who is learning to drive, and one for my HGF who uses the car nearly as often as I do. Anyone price getting a real spare made at the dealer? Hopefully not $150 each these days?

howd you manage that? is it in the little settings thing or did u do brain surgery?

 

[Swordsmith]

config>vehicle settings>power door locks>unlocked door anti-lock out >ON

 

[BSD]

Anyone price getting a real spare made at the dealer? Hopefully not $150 each these days?

Bump for this, my spare has disappeared and need to get a replacement before I really screw myself.

I remember the salesman said I shouldn't lose them since they cost around ~300$. I seriously hope he was full of it.

 

[laborsmith]

Discount Chevy Keys - Discount Chevy Key Fobs

Don't know if they are legit, but it is a choice.

That is one and I think there is another. If I find it I will do an additional post.


Laborsmith

 

[muniorbust]

I locked my key in the car, a locksmith came out, got me in, and made me a non-coded copy of the key which I keep in my wallet. Then, when I lock the keys in, as I do once or twice a year, I just pull out the wallet spare, open the door, and there are my driving keys.

Can't do this, as far as I know, for the Sonic.

So if I had a metal key with identical grooves to that of my official fob key, it would not work?
I guess I don't understand coded key and non-coded key. Is there some kind of electronics going on in the key besides the fob buttons sending signals to lock or unlock?

 

[BSD]

Discount Chevy Keys - Discount Chevy Key Fobs

Don't know if they are legit, but it is a choice.

That is one and I think there is another. If I find it I will do an additional post.


Laborsmith

WOW, only $50?!? It looks......almost too good to be true.....I sent them an email with some questions to determine their legitimacy. I'll report back if the results are good. Thanks.

So if I had a metal key with identical grooves to that of my official fob key, it would not work?
I guess I don't understand coded key and non-coded key. Is there some kind of electronics going on in the key besides the fob buttons sending signals to lock or unlock?

You pretty much hit the nail on the head, it's an RFID chip inside the key. There is an antenna inside either the dash or steering column that sends out a signal that powers the chip. The chip in turn responds with an ID number which is checked by the car's computer.

Now, I'm not sure on the sonic but on other cars usually it will start but only run for 5 minutes before it kills the engine. This was the whole idea behind valet keys; You would give the valet that key (without a chip) and the car would only run long enough for him to park it but not steal it.

 

[qwed94]

I just went outside and programed the door locks the same way as instructed by swordsmith. I can still lock the drivers door with the button on the door (as well as key fob). Key in or out of ignition. Only thing I can think of is---I dont have My Link, or swordsmith forgot to mention something. Please chime in swordsmith if you may have forgot something. Otherwise I assume the fact that I dont have the touchscreen system, I may not have all the same features either.

 

[laborsmith]

It looks like the key alone would allow one to unlock the door, not to start the car. The fob is an additional $50 and it looked to me like one would need both to do the job.

I do not know what the dealer charges are now, but several years ago it was $150, which was a huge jump (to me) as several years before that it was $50 at the dealer to get the '96 Camaro key/fob. I would expect a dealer to be in the $150-200 range.


Laborsmith

 

[poncho167]

I have seen them for under $50 as well. Some locksmiths can program them from what I have read, but the dealer shouldn't charge much more than the $50 to program.

Here is a site for plastic emergency keys.

2013 Chevrolet Chevy Sonic Uncut Valet Key Blank 13 | Amazingkeys.com

 

[gsxr1000]

I have seen them for under $50 as well. Some locksmiths can program them from what I have read, but the dealer shouldn't charge much more than the $50 to program.

Here is a site for plastic emergency keys.

2013 Chevrolet Chevy Sonic Uncut Valet Key Blank 13 | Amazingkeys.com

or the non plastic for under 60 uncut

2012 Chevrolet Chevy Sonic 4 Button Remote Flip Key 12 SP | Amazingkeys.com

 

[BSD]

Bump because still no viable solutions. Never heard back from chevy-keys. Need a vendor that can include the RFID.

Edit:Heard back from amazingkeys.com and they can cut keys and include programming instructions for RFID. Surprisingly, the guy that emailed me was upfront about it and told me that for some it works out of the box and for there's a dealership visit is required. Will update with any new info.

 

[Ms.DannyStone]

My dealer got me a key for $75 they had to order it from GM because they had no way of laser cutting it so it took like 3 days to get it

 

[BSD]

So I just got my two keys from amazingkeys.com. Don't let the website fool you, I would definitely recommend them.
I was talking with Joe, and he was willing to match the price the dealer gave me (saving me a trip, gas, and having to deal with "those people"). Keys arrived in a few days, OEM flipkey (Strattec) and a valet key (JMA). Despite the website showing a plastic key, the valet key I received was metal and even included an RFID chip! :banana: Both keys are well machined and fit like OEM.

Programming is super easy:
1. Insert old key, turn to on but don't start engine.
2. Within 10 seconds, remove old key, insert new key and turn to on.
3. Wait for IMMO light to turn off (car/lock icon top row towards the left)
3. ???
4. Profit!

This also takes care of programming the remote. My only disappointment was that the truck button didn't unlock my hatch.