Car Key Replacement in Grand Rapids, MI

When the only key is gone

Replacing a car key means cutting a blade to fit the car's locks and, on most modern cars, programming a transponder chip or remote so the engine will start. Until that is done, the car cannot be driven anywhere.

The 1 a.m. deadline on signed streets

Between November 1 and April 1, streets with seasonal parking signs in Grand Rapids come under the city's odd/even rule, which has every car on the next date's side by 1 a.m. A car that cannot be started cannot make that move, so timing matters. Say when the key went missing, which side of the street the car is on and whether the block has seasonal signs. A car in a driveway, garage or private lot is not on a signed street. This is general information, not legal advice.

Proof of ownership

A replacement key normally goes to someone who can show the car is theirs. Have ready the title or registration in your name and photo ID that matches it; for a leased or company car, the lease or a letter from the business that owns it. If the registration is locked inside the car, say so in your request.

What to have ready for the key

1. The VIN, printed on the dashboard at the base of the windshield and on the registration.
2. Year, make, model and trim.
3. The key type: plain metal blade, chipped key, flip key, separate remote or push-button start fob.
4. Any working key that remains, and how many keys you want in total.
5. Where the car is: street address or cross streets, and whether it is on the street, in a driveway, in a garage or in a lot.

If a spare still works and you only need another copy, say that too, because copying from a working key is a smaller job than starting with none. If the remote is the only problem, see key fob programming. The general service page is car key replacement; other local notes are on the Grand Rapids page.