Car Key Replacement by Make in Tampa
Every make does keys a little differently. Find yours below, see which kinds of keys it uses, then call with your year, make, and model for a free quote. Walk-ins are welcome at our South Tampa shop Monday through Saturday, 8am to 8pm, or we come to you.
One Shop, Most Makes
The Locksmith Shop cuts and programs car keys for most makes and models, at our shop at 4556 S Manhattan Ave in South Tampa or wherever the car is parked. We handle Honda, Ford, BMW, Toyota, Tesla, Hyundai, Nissan, Lexus, Kia, Mazda, Subaru, Mercedes, and more, from the mid-2000s to the current model year. Rare imports we verify first.
What changes from one make to the next is the kind of key. Most cars on the road use one of three: a transponder (chip) key with a cut blade, a remote-head or flip key that adds lock and unlock buttons, or a smart key for push-button start. The make tells us which ones are likely. Your year, model, trim, and VIN tell us exactly.
Which Keys Each Make Uses
Honda
Hondas use a chip key, a remote-head or flip key, or a push-button smart key, depending on the model, the year, and often the trim. Two Hondas from the same model year can take completely different keys, which is why we ask for the VIN when you call.
Honda key replacement →Toyota
Toyotas have a reputation for staying on the road a long time, so the key could be an older chip key, a key with the remote built into the head, or a push-button smart key on many newer models. On a high-mileage Toyota, tell us if the key is worn.
Toyota key replacement →Ford
Ford has used just about every style of key: chip keys with a separate remote, remote-head keys, flip keys, and push-button fobs. Many Fords also have a keypad on the driver's door, which unlocks the car but won't start it.
Ford key replacement →Nissan
Many recent Nissans use a push-button smart key that Nissan calls the Intelligent Key, with a mechanical key tucked inside for the door. Older models and some base trims use a key you turn, with a chip in the head.
Nissan key replacement →Hyundai
Hyundais with a key you turn commonly use a flip key, with the chip and the lock buttons built into the fob. Models with push-button start use a smart key with an emergency blade inside.
Hyundai key replacement →BMW
Most recent BMWs use a fob and a start button rather than a key you turn, and many unlock when you touch the handle with the key nearby. BMW key systems vary a lot by model and year, so BMW jobs start with a VIN check on the phone.
BMW key replacement →Lexus
Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand, and most Lexus models from recent years use a push-button smart key with an emergency blade inside. Older models may use a key you turn with a chip in the head. Call with your year, model, and VIN, and see our Toyota key page for how we handle the family.
Kia
Kia is Hyundai's sister brand, and many of their keys are similar: flip keys on models with a key you turn, smart keys on push-button models. Our Hyundai key page covers the same key types in more detail.
Mazda
Many Mazdas with a key you turn use a flip key with a chip inside, while models with push-button start use a smart key. Call with your year and model and we'll confirm which yours takes.
Subaru
Subarus with a key you turn use a chip key, often with the remote built into the head, and trims with push-button start use a smart key. The VIN tells us which your Subaru came with.
Mercedes-Benz
Most Mercedes-Benz models use an electronic fob-style key rather than a blade you cut and turn, and many have keyless start. Mercedes key systems vary by model and year, so call first with your year, model, and VIN, and we'll verify your car before anything is scheduled.
Tesla
Teslas don't use a traditional cut key. Depending on the model, the car may use a key card, a phone key, or a key fob. Tesla is on our list of makes, but every Tesla job starts with a phone call: tell us the model, the year, and what's been lost, and we'll verify your car before anything is scheduled.
Find the Right Page for the Job
Whatever you drive, the job usually falls into one of a few buckets. If your key has no buttons and the car won't start on a copy, see transponder key programming. If it's a remote, flip key, or push-to-start fob, see key fob and smart key replacement. Want a backup while you still have a working key? See spare car keys.
Lost every key? Our car key replacement page covers it, and if the keys are locked inside the car, see car lockout help. Near the shop? Our South Tampa locksmith page covers the neighborhoods around it.
What Changes the Price, Whatever You Drive
Every car is different, so we don't post prices. The things that move the number are the same for every make: the type of key (a basic chip key, a remote-head or flip key, or a push-to-start smart key), the year and model, whether you still have a working key or have lost them all, and whether the key for your car is ready to go or needs to be ordered first.
Call (813) 832-4777with your year, make, and model for a free quote. You'll have the price before any work begins, whether you walk in or we come to you.
How It Works
- Step 1
Tell Us the Car
Call (813) 832-4777 with your year, make, model, and VIN, or walk in to 4556 S Manhattan Ave with the car.
- Step 2
Confirm the Key
We confirm which key your car uses and whether it's ready to go or needs to be ordered.
- Step 3
Get a Free Quote
You get the price before any work begins, at the shop or on-site.
- Step 4
Cut, Program, Test
The key is cut and programmed to your car, then tested to lock, unlock, and start.
Tell Us What You Drive
Call with your year, make, and model. A real person answers Monday through Saturday, 8am to 8pm, and quotes the job before any work begins.
Call (813) 832-4777Car Keys by Make: Questions
Which car makes do you make keys for?+
We handle Honda, Ford, BMW, Toyota, Tesla, Hyundai, Nissan, Lexus, Kia, Mazda, Subaru, Mercedes, and more, from the mid-2000s to the current model year. Rare imports we'd need to verify first. Call (813) 832-4777 with your year, make, and model.
My make isn't on this page. Can you still help?+
Probably. The list above is the makes we're asked about most, not the full list. Call with your year, make, and model. Rare or very new models may need the key ordered first, and we tell you on the phone which category yours falls into.
Why does the price of a car key depend on the make?+
Because the make, model, and year decide the kind of key: a basic chip key, a remote-head or flip key, or a push-to-start smart key. Whether you still have a working key matters too, since replacing the only key takes more steps than adding a spare. Every car is different, so we don't post prices. Call for a free quote and you'll have the price before any work begins.
Do I have to go to the dealer for my make?+
For most makes, no. We cut and program keys at our South Tampa shop or on-site, with no dealership appointment and no tow. Rare or very new models may need the key ordered first, and some makes, like Tesla and Mercedes-Benz, we verify by phone before anything is scheduled.
What should I have ready when I call?+
Your year, make, and model, and the VIN if you can find it (it's on your registration, your insurance card, and the dash at the base of the windshield on the driver's side). For the job itself we need a photo ID plus the registration, title, or insurance documents for the car, and every key you still have.
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