Spare Car Key Duplication: preparing for the visit

One key opens the car, starts the car, and rides in one pocket every day. Nothing backs it up. A dropped storm drain, a torn pocket or a moment of distraction would leave the household without a way to drive anywhere tonight.

Worth answering before the call

Is the vehicle registered to you, or to someone else? Do you currently have one working key, or more than one? How many spare keys would you like made?

Does cold weather affect a key fob?

Yes, in a couple of small ways. Battery performance drops in cold temperatures, so a fob that already had a fading battery is more likely to act up on a cold morning, and a proximity system's range can feel shorter in the cold as well. Testing a spare's battery before winter, and keeping a spare battery on hand, avoids being caught out by either.

What is a relay attack, and does it matter for my spare?

A relay attack is when nearby equipment picks up a proximity fob's signal from inside a house and relays it to a vehicle parked outside, tricking the car into thinking the key is close enough to unlock or start. It matters for every fob in the household, spare included, which is why storing any proximity key in a signal-blocking pouch when it is not being carried is worth doing for all of them.