Spare Car Keys Made in Tampa
A second key, cut and programmed to your car while you still have a working one. Walk in to our South Tampa shop Monday through Saturday, 8am to 8pm, or we'll come to your driveway or office.
Why a Spare Is Worth Making Now
Making a spare while you still have a working key is usually simpler than replacing the only one after it's gone. With a key in hand, adding a new one to the car is a routine cut and program, at our shop or in your driveway. With no key at all, the car can't be driven, the work has to happen wherever it's parked, and on many vehicles it takes more steps.
A spare covers a lost key, a second driver in the household, or an original that's starting to wear. The Locksmith Shop cuts and programs spare car keys for most makes and models, at the shop or on-site, Monday through Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Why a Plain Copy Won't Start Most Modern Cars
For an older all-metal key, a duplicate is just a blade cut to match. If your key has a plastic head, it very likely carries a transponder chip, and the car won't start unless it recognizes that chip. So a working spare car key is two jobs: cut the blade to fit your doors and ignition, then program the chip (and the remote buttons, if your key has them) to your car. We do both.
Spare Keys by Type
Basic Chip Key
A metal blade with a plastic head and a transponder chip inside. Cut to match, then programmed to your car. More on transponder key programming.
Remote-Head or Flip Key
Blade, chip, and lock and unlock buttons in one. The blade is cut, and the chip and the remote are both programmed, so the spare does everything your original does.
Smart Key / Push-to-Start
No blade to turn, but usually an emergency blade inside, cut to your door lock. The fob is programmed to the car. More on key fob and smart key replacement.
Older All-Metal Key
No chip, so it's a straight cut. If your key is badly worn, tell us: copying a worn key just copies the wear onto the new blank.
Made at the Shop, or Next to Your Car
At the shop: drive the car to 4556 S Manhattan Ave, Tampa, FL 33611, and bring the key you have. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Saturday, 8am to 8pm. The car has to be there because the spare is programmed to it. Call ahead at (813) 832-4777 with your year, make, and model so we can confirm the right key is on hand.
On-site: if it's easier, we come to your home or office. Our service vans carry key cutting machines and programming tools, so the spare is cut and programmed right next to your car, with no dealership appointment. If you're near the shop, our South Tampa locksmith page covers the neighborhoods around it. Our techs work in English or Spanish.
What to Bring
- The key or keys you have now. On some cars, programming a new key erases any key that isn't present, so bring every key you want to keep using.
- Your year, make, and model, plus the VIN from your registration, your insurance card, or the base of the windshield on the driver's side.
- Proof the car is yours: a driver's license plus the vehicle registration is standard. If the registration isn't in your name, call first and we'll tell you what we need.
Timing, Price, and the Dealer Option
A spare is usually done in a single visit. Rare imports and some very new models may need the key ordered first, and we'll tell you that on the phone. The price depends on your year, make, and model and on the key type: a basic chip key, a remote-head or flip key, or a smart key. We don't post prices. Call for a free quote, and you'll have the number before any work begins.
The dealer can make you a spare too, typically with a service appointment and the car on site. For most makes, we make the same spare without the appointment, at the shop or at your car. Prices vary by car at both, so it's worth getting a quote from each. Ours is free by phone.
Already lost the only key? Then it's a replacement, not a spare: see car key replacement, and if the keys are locked inside the car, car lockout help. Managing fobs for a building as well? See keyless entry and access control.
How It Works
- Step 1
Call or Walk In
Call (813) 832-4777 or walk in to 4556 S Manhattan Ave with the car, your key, and your year, make, and model.
- Step 2
Get a Free Quote
You get the price before any work begins, at the shop or on-site.
- Step 3
Cut & Program
We cut the blade to your key and program the chip, and the remote if it has one, to your car.
- Step 4
Test Before You Go
The spare has to lock, unlock, and start the car before we call it done.
Get Your Spare Made
Call with your year, make, and model, or walk in with the car. A real locksmith answers Monday through Saturday, 8am to 8pm, and quotes the job before any work begins.
Call (813) 832-4777Spare Car Key Questions
Can I get a spare car key made at your shop?+
Yes. Drive the car to 4556 S Manhattan Ave in South Tampa (33611) with the key you have. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Saturday, 8am to 8pm, and calling ahead with your year, make, and model lets us confirm the right key is on hand. The car needs to come along, because the spare is programmed to it.
Can you make a car key without the original?+
If you have no working key, it's a replacement rather than a duplicate, and in most cases we can still make one. With no key to drive the car, we come to it. Call (813) 832-4777 and we'll walk you through it.
Will a spare key from a hardware store work in my car?+
It may unlock the door, but if your car uses a transponder chip, the engine won't start until a chip is programmed to the car. We cut the blade and program the chip so the spare starts the car, and if your key has remote buttons, we program those too.
How long does it take to make a spare car key?+
Usually a single visit. Time on the car depends on your make, model, and key type. For a rare import or a very new model, the key may need to be ordered first, and we'll tell you that on the phone before you drive over.
How much does a spare car key cost?+
It depends on your year, make, and model and the type of key: a basic chip key, a remote-head or flip key, or a push-to-start smart key. We don't post prices. Call (813) 832-4777 for a free quote, and you'll have the price before any work begins.
Do you make spare keys for push-to-start cars?+
Yes. We program spare smart keys and proximity fobs for most makes and models, and cut the emergency blade inside if the fob has one. Bring every fob you have for the car, since some cars clear fobs that aren't present when a new one is added.
Related Services & Guides
Get a Free Quote
Fill out the form or call us directly. We respond to all inquiries within 15 minutes.