Adding a key versus wiping the system
When you add a spare while you still have a working key, the car simply learns the new key alongside the ones it already knows. Your existing keys keep working. This is the most common kind of programming and it does not erase anything.
There is a different procedure that does erase keys on purpose. When every key is lost or one is stolen, the system can be wiped so the car forgets all previously learned keys, then taught only the new ones. After that, any old key that turns up will no longer start the car.
When erasing old keys is the goal
If a key was stolen or you bought a used car and do not know who else has a key, erasing the old ones is a feature, not a problem. It guarantees that only the keys in your hand can start the vehicle. We can wipe and relearn so any missing key becomes useless.
For all-keys-lost on certain systems, a wipe is simply part of how a new key gets accepted. In those cases there are no old keys to keep anyway, so nothing is lost.
Tell us your goal before we start
The outcome depends on what you want, so let us know. If you are just adding a backup, we keep your current keys active. If you want any lost or stolen key shut out, we erase and relearn so only your keys work.
We confirm what your specific car allows and walk you through it before programming. That way there are no surprises about which keys will and will not work when we are done.
Still have a key or fob question?
Tell us your year, make, and model and we will confirm exactly what your vehicle needs before we head out.