OT Car Key question

[RicodJour]

Aren't they all getting to be old memories, Dan? ;)

R

[Ron]

A propane torch.

[Doug Miller]

Who cares? Get another key made. You've ALREADY wasted more than $1.99 worth of time trying to figure out how to get the plastic off. Pay the man at the hardware store, and be done with it.

[Doug Miller]

You're missing the point totally. Get another one made *from a plain metal blank* that doesn't have the plastic shroud on it.

[Higgs Boson]

For emergency only, to open the car door -- does not start engine -- in case you have locked your keys in the ignition, get a plastic key made at the Auto Club. Fits in your wallet.

(Don't ask how many times I have done it. The winner was TWICE in one day, in the rain, with the engine running...)

HB

[Don Phillipson]

Could the supplier of your spare key not tell you whether the plastic cap is functional or not?

[Jon Danniken]

If you can shave off a sliver, you can shave off two slivers. Do that enough times and you'll be at metal.

Jon

[RickH]

Ace hardware made me a chip key for about $70 here.

Because the new spare key is fat and "literally" a pain in the ass to store in my wallet... I hid my spare key on the vehicle itself in a place that would require a screwdriver to find it. I figure if I lose my keys I can always borrow/buy a screwdriver someplace to get at the spare.

[aemeijers]

If this is the key you started the car with, there may still be an early version of the security chip in it. What brand and year is your car?

But as to how to get a naked key- go someplace else and pay another 2 bucks. Just ask them to show you the blank before they cut the key. It ain't worth the work to carve/grind off. You may not like the shape of the key head under the plastic- they are often pointy, so as to keep the plastic shell on the key.

[willshak]

LouB wrote the following:

I would say just soften it with heat from a hair blower of by holding it over a flame. If you f**k it up, buy a new key without the plastic. I got my spare unchipped car key at WalMart. It is in my wallet.

[Ed Pawlowski]

"LouB" wrote

NO SHIT! I know that. Get one with no plastic. Try a locksmith. You should have a plain key made instead of buggering up the original key. Once you take the plastic off, there may not be enough metal left to turn the key one inserted in the lock. I don't know for sure, but for two bucks, why take a chance? Do what you want, but there is an easier way if you stop and listen to what people here say.

Put a torch to it and bur the crap off. I don't give a damn what you do.

[LouB]

And what if the blank is not made as plain metal (which it is not)??? There are not a lot of makers of car key blanks.

[LouB]

Will try Walmart, thanks

[LouB]

Than why did you reply??

[Doug Miller]

Then find one that *is*. Sheesh. How did you ever reach adulthood?

[dadiOH]

Disintegration - in this case - works too. :)

Will they melt? Melting - in this case - could work too :) #2

[Jim Yanik]

willshak wrote in news:DtidnY- h1pIpnOnTnZ2dnUVZ [e-mail]:

that "cap" probably contains the RFID microchip that enables your car to start. without it,you may unlock the door,but the car will not start. If all you want is to unlock the door,any keymaker can make you a blank that has no chip or plastic "cap",even "credit card" ones that will fit in your wallet.

Those chipped keys are expensive to replace,over $100,so I would not destroy it.

[Jim Elbrecht]

-snip-

My son works at a Ford dealership prepping cars. Mom wants a key made for her 2010 Focus. Son asks about it. With his employee discount, they can do it for $80. But they need to keep the car for a day or 2 while the key is ordered from someplace. They tell him that the security level is so high on these things they can't even make a chipped key at the dealer level.

So my wife goes to Ace hardware & has it made in 10 minutes for $50.

Oh well--

Jim

[willshak]

Jim Yanik wrote the following:

It has been established that the OP's key does not contain a chip. Keys that do not contain a chip can be used to both unlock the doors and start the car, like they used to before the gummint and insurance companies got involved. My 14 year old truck requires no chipped key to start. It does have remote keyless entry, but only because I installed an aftermarket kit myself. Afterwards, I did lock the keys and remote in it one time and had to call the wife to bring the spare keys from home. I then had a spare key made to keep in my wallet.

[LouB]

I know it is NOT