What is a smart key or proximity key?

A smart key (also called a proximity key) lets you unlock and start your car without taking the key out of your pocket — you keep it on you and press a Start button. It talks to the car wirelessly, so it has to be programmed to your specific vehicle.

Can you replace or program a push-to-start fob on-site?

Yes. I program spare and replacement smart keys and push-to-start fobs at your location for most makes and models, older cars included. Tell me your year, make and model and I will confirm before I come out.

My push-to-start fob battery died and the car will not start. Can you help?

Often you can still start the car with a dead fob — most push-to-start vehicles have a backup, such as holding the fob against the start button. If the fob itself has failed, I can program a replacement on-site.

How much is a smart key in Winnipeg?

A spare smart or proximity key starts from $170, and from $200 if every key is lost — all-in, taxes included. The exact number depends on your vehicle, and you get it up front before any work. You pay only once the key works, and there is no call-out fee.

What should I send you to price a smart key?

The year, make and model, a photo of your fob (or the VIN if no fob is left), whether a key still starts the car, and your area or town. A spare starts from $170, and with those details I send you the exact all-in number before I set out — no travel fee inside Winnipeg, and a travel fee folded into that number for the towns around it.

What if I have lost every smart key?

Then it is an all-keys-lost job. It starts from $200, which is the starting point for a transponder key; a smart / push-to-start car costs more, and you get the exact number before I set out. On a Ford with push-to-start, send me the VIN first and I’ll confirm what is possible before I come out.

Smart & Push-to-Start Keys in Winnipeg

What a smart key is

A smart key (or proximity key) is the kind you keep in your pocket — you walk up, the doors unlock, and you start the car with a push-button instead of turning a key. It communicates with the car wirelessly, which is why it has to be programmed to your exact vehicle. These are common on newer cars and on higher trims from 2000 and up.

North American, Japanese and Korean vehicles, plus Jaguar and Land Rover. Not German makes or Volvo — ask and I’ll tell you yes or no before you wait.

What I do — on-site

Spare smart key while you still have a working one.
Replacement smart key when one is lost or has failed.
Push-to-start fob programming set up to your car.
All smart keys lost — a brand-new one generated where possible.

I program smart and proximity keys for most makes and models, older cars included, right where you are.

What to bring

Before any work, I always check your vehicle registration and a matching photo ID — a standard part of how I work, to confirm the vehicle is yours.

From $170 — smart and proximity keys vary by vehicle, so I give you the exact number up front.

Smart and push-to-start keys are from $170, taxes included — see what a push-to-start key costs and why and the full price list.

Watch the tax line. My price is all-in — the $170 already includes GST and PST. A quote given “plus tax” adds Manitoba’s 12% (5% GST + 7% PST) at the end, so a lower-sounding number can cost more once tax is on. A number quoted before tax always grows at the door — mine is from $170, taxes in.

You pay only once the key works. I accept Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Interac e-Transfer or cash. Every price includes the key, the cutting and the programming — no hidden extras.

1-year warranty on my work · No call-out fee — you pay only for the result.

Google review

“Andy is a lifesaver. I had one broken fob and one lost fob, so needless to say my SUV wasn’t going anywhere. I messaged Andy and he gave me an exact price and came to my residence the very next day. The mobile service is very much appreciated. It took about 30 minutes and he had two new fobs programmed and he ensured both worked with all functions. I wish I could give him more than 5 stars, the service was stellar and he is very personable and friendly.”

— Heather Quennelle

Not sure what you need? Text or WhatsApp a photo of your key or fob for an exact quote — I usually reply within a few minutes between 8 AM and 9 PM; messages sent overnight get an answer from 8 AM.

Which car key do I have?

Not sure what kind of key your car uses? Here is the quick way to tell:

Basic / mechanical key — a plain metal blade, no buttons and no chip. Common on older vehicles (before 2000).
Transponder (chip) key — a key with a plastic head and a hidden chip inside; no buttons, but the car will not start with a copy that has not been programmed. Most vehicles 2000 and newer.
Remote / key fob — a key (or flip key) with lock/unlock buttons; the fob must be programmed to your car.
Smart / push-to-start key — no metal blade to turn; you keep the fob in your pocket and press a Start button. A proximity key, fully programmed to the vehicle.

Still not sure? See all 7 key types with photos, or send me a photo on WhatsApp (why I ask) and I will tell you what you have and what it costs.

Real jobs, up close

A few keys I’ve cut and programmed on-site in and around Winnipeg — real cars, real work.

New Nissan smart key programmed on-site

A new Hyundai smart key, made at the car

A spare Toyota smart key, cut and programmed

A spare Toyota smart key, cut & programmed

Programming a brand-new key for a Nissan

Cutting a fresh key on my own machine

Professional key-cutting gear, brought to you

Frequently asked questions

What is a smart key or proximity key?: A smart key (also called a proximity key) lets you unlock and start your car without taking the key out of your pocket — you keep it on you and press a Start button. It talks to the car wirelessly, so it has to be programmed to your specific vehicle.
Can you replace or program a push-to-start fob on-site?: Yes. I program spare and replacement smart keys and push-to-start fobs at your location for most makes and models, older cars included. Tell me your year, make and model and I will confirm before I come out.
My push-to-start fob battery died and the car will not start. Can you help?: Often you can still start the car with a dead fob — most push-to-start vehicles have a backup, such as holding the fob against the start button. If the fob itself has failed, I can program a replacement on-site.
How much is a smart key in Winnipeg?: A spare smart or proximity key starts from $170, and from $200 if every key is lost — all-in, taxes included. The exact number depends on your vehicle, and you get it up front before any work. You pay only once the key works, and there is no call-out fee.
What should I send you to price a smart key?: The year, make and model, a photo of your fob (or the VIN if no fob is left), whether a key still starts the car, and your area or town. A spare starts from $170, and with those details I send you the exact all-in number before I set out — no travel fee inside Winnipeg, and a travel fee folded into that number for the towns around it.
What if I have lost every smart key?: Then it is an all-keys-lost job. It starts from $200, which is the starting point for a transponder key; a smart / push-to-start car costs more, and you get the exact number before I set out. On a Ford with push-to-start, send me the VIN first and I’ll confirm what is possible before I come out.

Helpful reading

Key pages by model: Toyota RAV4 · Toyota Highlander · Hyundai Santa Fe · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Rogue · Mazda CX-5 · Subaru Crosstrek · Kia Sportage

Need a smart key in Winnipeg?

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Smart Keys & Push-to-Start Fobs in Winnipeg