Many of the car stereo shops in the Northern US and Canada shift focus to installing remote car starters in the late fall. If you are shopping for a remote starter, you may be asked by the Product Specialist if you have two keys to the vehicle. Further, in a few applications, you may need to sacrifice a key to the vehicle for them to make the starter work. Let’s discuss why these two instances occur.
Two Keys Needed for Programming
Most automobile manufacturers include some form of anti-theft solution in their vehicles. These systems typically use a car key or key fob with a built-in security chip. When you try to start the car, the security system reads a code from the chip and compares it to what was programmed during manufacturing. If the codes match, the vehicle will start. If not, you’ll see a flashing security icon on the dash.
These chipped or encoded keys make stealing a new vehicle much harder. A thief could break the steering wheel lock and bypass the ignition wiring, but the vehicle still wouldn’t start.
Remote Car Starter Installation
You’ve heard the term bypass or interface when shopping for a remote car starter. The latter description isn’t great terminology, as these modules don’t bypass any of the security features in the vehicle. Instead, they are programmed as additional keys that are authorized to start the vehicle. It’s important to understand that your car or truck is just as safe once a remote car starter has been installed as it was before.
To program these interfaces to your vehicle, the technician must have two original keys. In an oversimplification of the process, they present each of the original keys to the vehicle when it is in programming mode and then teach the security system a code from the remote car starter interface module. For example, Ford vehicles from 2011 through 2014 require two keys.
Interface Programming Issues
One issue that often arises, particularly with used vehicles, is that while the owner might have two keys, one might be a clone of the other. This occurs when a key is lost and replaced by cloning the remaining unit. From a vehicle security perspective, either key will work, but the security system in the car or truck sees it as the same key.
The technician can’t access key programming mode for remote car starter installation because the process requires two keys, each with different codes. The only solution is to purchase a new key from the dealer and have it programmed into the vehicle. Unfortunately, this is expensive and typically costs more than $250.
If you are buying a used vehicle, ask specifically if the keys are original or if one is a clone of the other.
Giving Up a Key
Another scenario with remote car starters requires two keys. In the case of European vehicles like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen, there isn’t a simple way to program another key to the factory-installed security system. In these cases, you need to sacrifice one of the keys provided with the vehicle to the remote starter system.
The technician will install the key into a special module and hide it in the dash. The security code from the key is presented to the factory security system when the aftermarket remote car starter is activated. The technician working on your car must ensure that the module’s location is far away from the key cylinder to avoid permanently bypassing the security function.
Pick Who Installs Your Remote Starter Carefully
While installing a remote car starter on most cars or trucks is relatively simple for a trained technician, the factory-installed anti-theft systems on newer vehicles can present a challenge. Don’t be shocked if you are asked if you have two original keys to your car, truck, or SUV.
We can’t overemphasize the importance of choosing a professional to work on your vehicle. Shopping on price alone and not considering experience and reputation can lead to problems. Look carefully at the reviews for the shop you are considering. Further, please look at the information they present on their website. It’s often easy to pick out who the true professionals in your area are.
