Gaucho KeysA smart key — also called a proximity key or push-to-start key — is the fob you keep in your pocket. The car senses it nearby, so you unlock by touching the handle and start the engine with a button, without ever taking the key out. There is no blade to slide in and turn. Here is how it works and what to do if you need one programmed or replaced in Winnipeg.
How a smart key works
A smart key talks to the car by short-range radio. When you walk up with it in your pocket, the car recognizes the fob and lets you unlock the doors by touching the handle. Once you are inside, pressing the Start button lets the engine run, because the car has already confirmed the fob is present. The buttons on the fob still lock, unlock and sometimes remote-start, but the day-to-day magic is that you never have to take it out.
The hidden blade inside
Almost every smart key has a small metal blade tucked inside that you can slide out. It is there for one job: if the fob or car battery dies, you pull the blade and unlock the door by hand. Some cars hide the door lock behind a cap on the handle. It is worth knowing where yours is before you ever need it.
When a smart key stops working
The most common cause is simply the small battery inside the fob. If pressing Start does nothing, hold the fob directly against the Start button — most vehicles have a backup spot that reads the chip even with a flat battery — and then swap the battery. If the fob is lost, water-damaged, or still will not work after a fresh battery, it needs re-programming or replacing, which is where we come in.
Which vehicles use smart keys
Smart keys are on most newer vehicles, especially mid and higher trims from about 2015 onward — across Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan and many more. If your key has no blade sticking out and you start the car with a button, you have a smart key.
Programming and replacing a smart key
We program smart keys on-site for most makes and models from 2000 and newer, including the harder all-keys-lost situations. Smart keys are the most involved type, and prices vary a lot from one make to the next, so we always quote you up front once we know your vehicle. As a reference, spare keys start from $160 and lost-key replacements from $200, but a smart key with programming is quoted to your exact car. You pay only once the new key works.
- Keep it in your pocket — touch the handle to unlock, press a button to start
- A hidden metal blade slides out to open the door if the battery dies
- Fob not working? Usually the small battery — try the backup Start spot first
- Programmed on-site, including all keys lost — quoted to your vehicle, pay once it works
I am a mobile locksmith, so I come to you at home, work or the roadside across Winnipeg and the surrounding area, including Selkirk, Lockport, St. Andrews, West Saint Paul, Headingley, Stony Mountain and Oakbank, 8 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. Before any work I check your vehicle registration and a matching photo ID to confirm the vehicle is yours and keep everything legitimate. Not sure if your key is a smart key? Send a photo on WhatsApp and I will tell you.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a smart key?
- A smart key (or proximity key) is a fob you keep in your pocket. The car senses it, so you unlock by touching the handle and start by pressing a Start button, with no key to insert or turn. Inside is a hidden metal blade you can slide out to unlock the door by hand if the battery dies.
- My push-to-start won't work, is it the key?
- Often it is the fob battery. If pressing Start does nothing, hold the fob right against the Start button (most cars have a backup spot) and replace the small battery inside. If it still will not go, the fob may need re-programming or replacing. Tell us your year, make and model and we will confirm.
- Can you program a smart or push-to-start key in Winnipeg?
- Yes. We program smart keys on-site for most makes from 2000 and newer, including when all keys are lost. Smart-key prices vary a lot by vehicle, so we quote you up front once we know what you drive; spare keys start from $160 and lost keys from $200. We come to you, check your registration and matching photo ID, and you pay only once it works.
Need a smart key in Winnipeg?
Mobile auto locksmith — I come to you, 7 days a week.