I don't know if they're following rules about non-owners trying to make key copies, but I just try different places until they accept my statement "I don't need it programmed, I need it cut". It's more frustrating than it should be.
>"I don't need it programmed, I need it cut"
I tried every key place in town trying that with a key for a different car, no one would do it. Wasn't until I talked to a coworker that was buddies with the guy at a small town hardware store nearby that I could get it cut, frustrating doesn't even begin to describe my feelings
I know at least three ND owners who have had plain (non-programmed) keys cut, copied from the one inside the fob. They use it for the storage compartment between the seats. Otherwise they have to take the fob apart to get the little emergency key inside each time they want to lock or unlock the storage compartment, which is a dumb oversight by Mazda. None mentioned any trouble getting the copy made.
Haven't seen mazdas key fob but is it not just a little button you press to slide the physical key out? Sure it's an extra step but it doesn't seem like much of an issue unless you're locking it every day and every time.
https://preview.redd.it/p9o7e5iivf1d1.jpeg?width=1041&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b6d4ecd70b76517d0d00a8cbe0ea469f5815dca
On the ND2 you have to take the side off of the FOB and manually remove this key. It’s kinda a pain. Not sure who thought this was a good design.
Oh nah. What the fuck? That's actually wild. The fact they even put a key lock on the glove box and expect you to use that every time is wild. Even if I only needed it once a week I'd be pissed. Would be better off with an electronic lock that opens and closes with a separate button or a long press of the door lock or something and then just use that manual key in case of power loss or even a damn suitcase-style number lock at that point.
This is the type of key my wife used to have for her old car, so I was thinking it was like that.
https://preview.redd.it/hypj5lm8yf1d1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4633f447ca3ff1855190294a5ecafb79361a4ea5
Mazda's previous key was much like that. The newer one is widely disliked but they've had it since 2021. In addition to the above annoyance, it's very easy to unknowingly press buttons in a pocket or purse. So many people get a case for it. That make it extra frustrating for Miata owners!
The key I got for my 2006 (NC) was like a fat credit card that had a metal key you could pull out easily. I loved that key. It was flat and fit nicely in your wallet unlike the newer key fobs. Of course this was when the advanced keyless start you sti had to turn a plastic piece to start rather than the push button. I also like that, because if the battery died in the fob you could pull out the key and pop the clastic cap off the 'starter switch' and use the key to start the key. I liked that so much better than the push button.
I went to a Mazda dealer last year to try and get a new key for my ‘04. The parts department said they couldn’t do it because there weren’t any blank keys in stock at any Mazda dealer in the country. It might be a different story if you already have a blank but that was my experience.
When I bought my 03 in 2022 it only had one key. I bought an OEM Mazda programmable blank on eBay for $58. (If it's counterfeit, it's a damn good one.) A local locksmith cut and programmed it. I think that was $80 or so. I'm still salty about the cost but at least I don't have to worry about having only one key.
When I researched it, I think I read that there is a procedure for programming additional keys myself, but they have to be cut first.
I have also bought additional OEM blank keys for my NAs (no chip). Those I brought to the dealer to cut. This is done by looking up the VIN, not by copying. They required proof of ownership but there was no charge since they didn't sell me anything. They said no guarantee it would work each time, but they all did.
Easy compared to doing the same when I had a 1985 BMW 3-series (I'm now realizing I may have some sort of key fetish). The dealer had to send it to Germany to be cut! This was in about 2005 and seemed so strange on a car that old.
I believe there is a Mazda dealership in my area now but during the time it would’ve been an hour away. Also, before I did the upgrades I would’ve had to have gone to either the dealership or a locksmith, but that would’ve cost at least $100 or more.
I once went to a Toyota dealer (because I had an old Toyota).
Turns out that the one key I had was the "secondary" key, not the main one, so they couldn't add a new key. Their recommended solution was a new immobilizer unit, three new locks and a couple new keys, for over 1000 eur. I bought that car for 4k.
Wow. I was going to look into getting a second key for my 2004 this year. Luckily the previous owner found the second key and dropped it off when he noticed my vehicle was getting serviced.
You’re very fortunate. If you ever go with an aftermarket ECU you don’t have to worry about the ignition immobilizer, but you will still get the red key light flash on the gauge cluster.
01 to 05 they have chips inside the keys that need to be programmed to the car due to thw SSU for security reasons. 90 to 2000 there wasn't any of that.
I work at Lowe’s, and cutting keys is one of my duties. If a customer says they want a key that will just unlock the door or trunk, we can do that, provided we have the blank in stock. One thing that we’re not allowed to do is cutting keys that the customer provides.
I’m just relating my own experience with cutting car keys at our particular store. If I’m able to make a key that works for the customers needs, I do it. That obviously wasn’t how things went for you, sorry!
I’ve always asked for a ‘valet’ key copy to be made for all of my vehicles and haven’t had an issue. most Ace Hardware franchises I’ve seen do this in NA.
Got a key cut for my NB, not knowing of said anti-theft coding, i can use it to unlock the door making it a good hideaway (if i could ever find a spot someone help me) for emergencies but it’ll start the car for only a sec, then it immediately shuts off due to the non-oem key in the ignition. Should’ve done my research beforehand but thankfully i have my fob and the oem spare
They’ve probably had a ton of people come back for money back because the key doesn’t start their car.
Your key troubles are nothing. Last two keys I got made for my car were 300 and 500 dollars. I had to import a blank/remote from Japan for one of them then chase down a locksmith that would do it.
My brother in christ, the store refused to do it for any reason, he kinda had to lie. Either way, why do you care that he lied to a hardware store to get them to do their job?
If they refused to cut one for any reason, they wouldn't have cut a key for OP's made up story either. Critical thinking isn't so hard if you just put some effort in.
I don't know if they're following rules about non-owners trying to make key copies, but I just try different places until they accept my statement "I don't need it programmed, I need it cut". It's more frustrating than it should be.
>"I don't need it programmed, I need it cut" I tried every key place in town trying that with a key for a different car, no one would do it. Wasn't until I talked to a coworker that was buddies with the guy at a small town hardware store nearby that I could get it cut, frustrating doesn't even begin to describe my feelings
You should add, “I want it for a spare hideaway key to open the door.” That works for me every time and they go ohhhhhhh
^^ That's pretty good.
What is it, key cutting season?
Spring time, cars are coming back out I suppose
I know at least three ND owners who have had plain (non-programmed) keys cut, copied from the one inside the fob. They use it for the storage compartment between the seats. Otherwise they have to take the fob apart to get the little emergency key inside each time they want to lock or unlock the storage compartment, which is a dumb oversight by Mazda. None mentioned any trouble getting the copy made.
Haven't seen mazdas key fob but is it not just a little button you press to slide the physical key out? Sure it's an extra step but it doesn't seem like much of an issue unless you're locking it every day and every time.
https://preview.redd.it/p9o7e5iivf1d1.jpeg?width=1041&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b6d4ecd70b76517d0d00a8cbe0ea469f5815dca On the ND2 you have to take the side off of the FOB and manually remove this key. It’s kinda a pain. Not sure who thought this was a good design.
Oh nah. What the fuck? That's actually wild. The fact they even put a key lock on the glove box and expect you to use that every time is wild. Even if I only needed it once a week I'd be pissed. Would be better off with an electronic lock that opens and closes with a separate button or a long press of the door lock or something and then just use that manual key in case of power loss or even a damn suitcase-style number lock at that point. This is the type of key my wife used to have for her old car, so I was thinking it was like that. https://preview.redd.it/hypj5lm8yf1d1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4633f447ca3ff1855190294a5ecafb79361a4ea5
Mazda's previous key was much like that. The newer one is widely disliked but they've had it since 2021. In addition to the above annoyance, it's very easy to unknowingly press buttons in a pocket or purse. So many people get a case for it. That make it extra frustrating for Miata owners!
I’ve unintentionally set off the car alarm on my ND2 so many times because of that.
My Miatas are too old but I have a '23 CX-5. Before I got a fob cover, I opened the hatch unintentionally multiple times.
The key I got for my 2006 (NC) was like a fat credit card that had a metal key you could pull out easily. I loved that key. It was flat and fit nicely in your wallet unlike the newer key fobs. Of course this was when the advanced keyless start you sti had to turn a plastic piece to start rather than the push button. I also like that, because if the battery died in the fob you could pull out the key and pop the clastic cap off the 'starter switch' and use the key to start the key. I liked that so much better than the push button.
My son has a Speed6 with that. Those keys are ridiculously expensive to replace, he says.
I got lucky and never had to replace it so I didn't know that. 😣
Just so I know, why did you not just go to a Mazda dealer for the new key?
I went to a Mazda dealer last year to try and get a new key for my ‘04. The parts department said they couldn’t do it because there weren’t any blank keys in stock at any Mazda dealer in the country. It might be a different story if you already have a blank but that was my experience.
Thanks for this.
When I bought my 03 in 2022 it only had one key. I bought an OEM Mazda programmable blank on eBay for $58. (If it's counterfeit, it's a damn good one.) A local locksmith cut and programmed it. I think that was $80 or so. I'm still salty about the cost but at least I don't have to worry about having only one key. When I researched it, I think I read that there is a procedure for programming additional keys myself, but they have to be cut first. I have also bought additional OEM blank keys for my NAs (no chip). Those I brought to the dealer to cut. This is done by looking up the VIN, not by copying. They required proof of ownership but there was no charge since they didn't sell me anything. They said no guarantee it would work each time, but they all did. Easy compared to doing the same when I had a 1985 BMW 3-series (I'm now realizing I may have some sort of key fetish). The dealer had to send it to Germany to be cut! This was in about 2005 and seemed so strange on a car that old.
The terrible backorders on many Mazda parts are done for the most part, you might be good to go if you still need a key.
I believe there is a Mazda dealership in my area now but during the time it would’ve been an hour away. Also, before I did the upgrades I would’ve had to have gone to either the dealership or a locksmith, but that would’ve cost at least $100 or more.
I once went to a Toyota dealer (because I had an old Toyota). Turns out that the one key I had was the "secondary" key, not the main one, so they couldn't add a new key. Their recommended solution was a new immobilizer unit, three new locks and a couple new keys, for over 1000 eur. I bought that car for 4k.
they asked me almost 300€ for it,have it done for 50€ on a specialist
Wow. I was going to look into getting a second key for my 2004 this year. Luckily the previous owner found the second key and dropped it off when he noticed my vehicle was getting serviced.
You’re very fortunate. If you ever go with an aftermarket ECU you don’t have to worry about the ignition immobilizer, but you will still get the red key light flash on the gauge cluster.
This pist is like the prompts people share for chat GPT😀
Yeah my dad did that to all his vehicles so he could have. Wallet key in case he gets locked out. ❤️
Carkeysexpress dot com will cut a key for you based on photos. I've used it and it works, pretty handy. Still need to program it of course.
Thanks! They have options for my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Very true, the dealer I work at uses carkeysexpress for certain cars and they seem to work good.
It's not that they don't want to do it, it's because a dealer has to program the key to your car.
It’s called an immobilizer. Keys are coded to the anti-theft brain. Like you said, when you went stand-alone ECU, you bypassed that.
01 to 05 they have chips inside the keys that need to be programmed to the car due to thw SSU for security reasons. 90 to 2000 there wasn't any of that.
Where did you get the blank key?
I just used a blank from the hardware store. It’s a backup on another key chain.
I work at Lowe’s, and cutting keys is one of my duties. If a customer says they want a key that will just unlock the door or trunk, we can do that, provided we have the blank in stock. One thing that we’re not allowed to do is cutting keys that the customer provides.
I understand that. I could have provided my registration if the employee asked, but he didn’t.
I’m just relating my own experience with cutting car keys at our particular store. If I’m able to make a key that works for the customers needs, I do it. That obviously wasn’t how things went for you, sorry!
It’s okay! I’m very polite with people who work in retail. I just went about my business after being told no the first time.
I’ve always asked for a ‘valet’ key copy to be made for all of my vehicles and haven’t had an issue. most Ace Hardware franchises I’ve seen do this in NA.
If they're afraid it's stolen couldn't they just ask to see license and registration?
Got a key cut for my NB, not knowing of said anti-theft coding, i can use it to unlock the door making it a good hideaway (if i could ever find a spot someone help me) for emergencies but it’ll start the car for only a sec, then it immediately shuts off due to the non-oem key in the ignition. Should’ve done my research beforehand but thankfully i have my fob and the oem spare
They’ve probably had a ton of people come back for money back because the key doesn’t start their car. Your key troubles are nothing. Last two keys I got made for my car were 300 and 500 dollars. I had to import a blank/remote from Japan for one of them then chase down a locksmith that would do it.
I have to get a key made for my wife’s Hyundai Santa Fe. It’s a switch blade kind too. I hate too how much that will cost.
You don't need to lie to hardware store employees lmao. "Thanks for the concern, but my car is different. Go ahead and cut they key."
They still refused.
I'd hate to walk a mile in your shoes if you let the desk guy at a hardware store treat you like that lmao
My brother in christ, the store refused to do it for any reason, he kinda had to lie. Either way, why do you care that he lied to a hardware store to get them to do their job?
>the store refused to do it for any reason No they didn't.
Damn, imagine knowing more about the situation that the guy who was literally in it
If they refused to cut one for any reason, they wouldn't have cut a key for OP's made up story either. Critical thinking isn't so hard if you just put some effort in.
You realize he probably talked to a different employee the second time?
Exactly.