smart key replacement

[AshleyS20]

Hi all,

I drove off last week with my fob key on top of my car (yeah I'm a smart one). Unfortunately, it wasn't a short trip as I was on my way to Las Vegas and didn't notice this until I pulled over for gas 3 hours away. The car didn't give a warning that the key was no longer near as it has in the past when accidently leaving the key in my pocket and leaving the car running. I'm assuming this is because the key disappeared so rapidly. I had my car towed to a dealership for a new key which cost me $270 including labor. When I came home, I found my old key that had been run over. It doesn't work to start up the car and none of the buttons work. However, the metal key inside the fob didn't get hurt and I am able to lock/unlock using it. The question I have is if I were to buy a new key fob via eBay, would I simply be able to remove the uncut key and insert my old metal key from my ruined fob in order for it to work?

[SX APPEAL]

No. The fob itself has to be programmed to the vehicle by the dealer, otherwise it wont work. I've heard mixed reviews about those ebay key fobs also, a lot of them are junk, and its not like you can return the new one you got for a refund anyway. You should keep the old key shank just as a backup, in case you ever lock the working fob in your car or something.