Question 1

How long does a GMC dealer actually take for a smart key replacement on a 2023 Acadia?

Accepted Answer

The programming itself is not the slow part. A tech with the right diagnostic software can get through the key learning procedure in roughly 15 to 20 minutes of actual work. The time that gets quoted to you, sometimes two hours or more, is dealer workflow: writing a repair order, waiting for a certified tech to be available, parts availability if the fob isn't on the shelf, and labor billed in blocks regardless of what the job actually takes.

On some newer GM vehicles, there's also an authorization step required through GM's back-end systems before programming can proceed, which adds more dependency on shop infrastructure. None of that reflects how long the technical work takes. It reflects how dealership service departments are structured.

A mobile locksmith working out of a van in your parking lot removes almost all of that overhead. The job gets done in the same amount of time the technical portion actually requires.

Question 2

What exactly is a smart key and how does the 2023 Acadia's system work?

Accepted Answer

A smart key is a fob that communicates wirelessly with the vehicle's security and body control systems. Unlike an older transponder key that you insert and turn, the smart key is recognized by the vehicle when it's nearby or when you interact with the door handles.

Inside the fob there's also a transponder chip that has to be registered to your specific vehicle before the engine will start. That pairing is done through the OBD port using diagnostic equipment. The fob also contains a mechanical backup key blade for situations where the battery is dead or the fob fails.

The 2023 Acadia's fob carries 5 buttons. The vehicle's electronic systems have to recognize the fob's identity before it will allow the engine to run, which is why a replacement fob from any source, whether a dealer, a locksmith, or an online marketplace, still has to go through a programming step.

Question 3

Why does dealer key programming feel so slow compared to what the job actually involves?

Accepted Answer

It comes down to how service departments operate, not how complex the job is.

The actual programming procedure on a 2023 Acadia runs through diagnostic software connected to the OBD port. A tech who knows the procedure and has the equipment can complete it in a reasonable window. The rest of the time you're paying for is the service lane queue, labor rate minimums, and parts ordering if the right fob isn't already in the parts department.

Some owners report being told to leave the vehicle for a full day or longer, not because the work requires it, but because that's when the appropriate tech is available. On a vehicle where you only have one key, that's a real problem. Mobile service exists specifically to skip that structure.

Question 4

I have a spare fob but haven't used it in a year. Now it won't work. Did it lose its programming?

Accepted Answer

Fobs don't lose their programming from sitting unused. If a spare that used to work has stopped working, the first thing to check is the battery. A CR2032 left in a stored fob can drain over time even without use.

Swap the battery, make sure it's seated properly with clean contact points, and test at close range first. If it still doesn't respond, there's a chance the fob took physical damage in storage, or in some cases a dealer or shop visit that involved reprogramming the primary key may have inadvertently dropped other paired fobs from the vehicle's memory. That last scenario is less common, but it does come up. If a fresh battery doesn't bring it back, the fob needs to be tested and potentially re-registered to the vehicle.

Question 5

Can I buy a fob online and just bring it to you to program?

Accepted Answer

Yes, that works as long as the fob you bought is the correct one for your vehicle. Bring it and I program it. The savings on the fob itself can be real.

The one risk with buying online is getting the wrong part. Make sure whatever you're ordering matches the factory fob ID on your original. If you're not certain, call me before you buy and I'll tell you what to look for.

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