I only have one key, so I have been looking to get a 2nd one. I found a website (ikeyless.com) that sells both a switchblade key and a slider key. The switchblade looks somewhat factory, but the slider looks aftermarket. I like the price of the slider (without the fob), and I might get an aftermarket Viper (only for the remote window operation and express up and down function) so I wont need the keyless entry portion. I contacted the dealer and the representative that I spoke with said that the slider has a plastic shell. It doesnt bother me too much, as my Mazda switchblade was plastic and it lasted 3+ years. A few questions:

-Has anyone tried either of these?

-I would have to get my dealer to program it...has anyone had any trouble getting their dealer to program a key that they didnt buy from the dealer? I know some dealers like to get all technical.

 

Go to Wal-Mart and pay them to make you a copy. I had mine done there. They allow you to go out and make sure the transponder will work on your truck. If it doesnt, they will cut you a new one from a new key. I have mine from there and they work great! Programming for the alarm remote is easy (atleast when I reprogrammed my 2 new ones after breakin my original). Not sure if the key switchblade would be that easily programmed as well.

 

I dont have two keys, so I cant program the spare key (not the fob portion..I think that is the easy part). Wal Mart cant program the transponder key, can they?

 

I went to walmart with my keys, just 1 for the truck. I handed it to them, she asked what yr make and model, and told me to go try it right now to make sure it worked. Cranked up right away. I didnt have to program a thing for the key. The alarm/door lock/unlock crap I had ordered and reprogrammed and that was easy (sorry, dont know what FOB stands for).

 

Fob = key fob (the keyless entry portion)

Your situation might be very unique. I understand that these transponder keys have a chip in them and after they are cut, that chip has to be programmed to the truck (or vice versa). See this article

Do you have one of those switchblade/slider style keys?

 

No I dont have one of those switchblade or sliders. The key I did get from Walmart does have the transponder in it, otherwise it wouldnt have started up my truck. I would still say go get a regular key from walmart (like i said, they told me to make sure it would work prior to me paying for it) unless you just want a "cool new key".

 

Vano may actually be giving you an easy out. I'm surprised the Walmart key worked without programming, but if it works for you too, it gives you the second key to program the slider/switchblade with.

One thing, are you sure those keys will work with our ignition (like will the plastic part hit the tumbler trim and not let the key go in all the way)?

 

I was honestly amazed as well. I'll take a pic of the Wal-mart key when I get home (thats my emergency EMERGENCY key). Its quite different (plastic part) than the OEM key. Good point about it working on our ignitions' tumblers.

 

I will hope and pray that this works, then I can get the cool slider key that I was eying and program it myself.

I contacted a rep at the site and verified their return policy, so I will return it if it doesnt work (and if I buy it).
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Does anyone know if that switchblade is a stock item? It looks like it couldve been issued as a regular key?

 

Not to my knowledge, the only other key I've seen used is the Fusion style: