Car key programming
A cut key is only half the job. Modern cars won't start until the key is programmed to the immobiliser — that's the part most places send you to the dealer for, and the part we do on site.
WhatsApp- From $75
- Transponder programming, the job we do most. Starting price, not a flat rate.
- Usually one visit
- Cut and programmed at your car, while you wait.
- Dealer-level access
- NASTF-registered, so we pull immobiliser data from the manufacturer.
- Spare or from scratch
- We add keys to a car that already has one, or start with none.
What it is
Cutting a key and programming one are two different jobs.
Any hardware store can copy the shape of a key. That gets you into the car and no further. Since roughly the late 1990s, almost every vehicle has an immobiliser — a chip in the key talks to the car, and if the car doesn't recognise the chip, it refuses to start.
Programming is the step that introduces the two to each other. It needs the right equipment, and on most modern vehicles it needs security data that only the manufacturer holds. That's the wall people hit when they try to save money on a cut-only copy, and it's the reason a key that looks perfect still leaves them stranded.
What it costs
Programming prices, starting from $75.
These are starting prices, not flat rates. What you pay depends on the key your vehicle takes and what the car needs, which is why we ask for the year, make and model before quoting.
| Type of key | From |
|---|---|
| Transponder key | $75 |
| Remote head key | $95 |
| German / Euro transponder key | $125 |
| Smart / proximity key | $145 |
Lost every key, with nothing left to copy? That's all keys lost, from $145. Not sure which key you have? The key replacement page breaks down the four types.
How we get the codes
Registered to pull data straight from the manufacturer.
Car Keys Geeks is a NASTF-Registered Vehicle Security Professional — listed on the automaker-backed registry that lets qualified locksmiths pull key codes and immobiliser data straight from the manufacturer, the same way a dealership does.
That registration is the whole difference. It's what lets us program keys for modern push-to-start and high-security vehicles on the spot, instead of telling you to book the car in somewhere and leave it for a few days.
Keys carry a 3-month warranty.
What customers say
700+ Google reviews · 4.9★
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★★★★★
"I had a great experience with Car Keys Geeks. As a contractor, finding time to take my vehicle somewhere for service can be difficult, so their mobile service was a huge convenience. They came directly to my job site and programmed a new key fob for my truck quickly and efficiently. The entire process was smooth from start to finish."
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★★★★★
"Excellent service from CarKeys Geeks! They programmed a new key for my 2024 Audi quickly and professionally. Fast response, fair pricing, and very knowledgeable automotive locksmith. Highly recommended if you need Audi key replacement or key programming services."
Get a price
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Call (519) 697-0329FAQ
Car key programming questions, answered straight.
What does car key programming actually do?
It pairs the key to your car's immobiliser — the anti-theft system that decides whether the engine is allowed to start. A key that has only been cut will turn in the lock and do nothing else. Until the programming step is done, the car treats it as the wrong key.
How much does key programming cost in London, Ontario?
Transponder key programming starts at $75, a remote head key at $95, and a smart or proximity key at $145. German and European transponder keys start at $125. Those are starting prices, not flat rates, and we match written estimates.
Can you program a spare while I keep my original key?
Yes, and it's the cheapest version of this job because we aren't starting from nothing. It's also the one people put off until the day they can't.
Do I have to bring the car to you?
No. We're mobile across London and Southwestern Ontario and program at your vehicle — driveway, workplace, parking lot. You're welcome at the shop on Hamilton Rd instead if that's easier.
Can you program a key outside your opening hours?
No. We're open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed Sundays. We don't do after-hours or overnight callouts.