Question 1

Do you use OEM or aftermarket keys on Audi vehicles?

Accepted Answer

We source fobs that match the factory FCC ID and are built to the spec your vehicle expects. On the 2013 A6 specifically, the immobilizer is not forgiving about what it will pair with. The module uses an encrypted handshake during key learning, and if the fob's internal hardware does not match what the system is looking for, the pairing either fails outright or appears to succeed but drops out later.

Aftermarket shells are fine for housing a correctly sourced fob board, but a cheap full-assembly clone from an unknown supplier is a real gamble on this generation. I have seen forum threads where owners on this platform went through two or three no-name fobs before getting one that actually held programming. That wastes everyone's time. We verify the hardware before we show up.

Question 2

How long will a replacement key last on a 2013 A6?

Accepted Answer

The programming does not expire. Once a key is correctly enrolled in the immobilizer, it stays enrolled unless something deliberately wipes it, like an all-keys-lost reset or a module replacement. The CR2032 battery typically runs two to four years depending on how often you use the remote functions. When range starts shrinking or the door handles get inconsistent, swap the battery before you assume anything is wrong with the key itself. The fob housing takes more abuse than people expect, daily drops and pocket lint in the contacts, so the physical condition of the shell matters too. A key programmed correctly and kept in decent shape will outlast most other things you replace on the car.

Question 3

What if the new key stops working a few weeks after you programmed it?

Accepted Answer

Call us. The work is covered.

That said, on the 2013 A6, a key that worked and then stopped is usually pointing at the car, not the fob. A dead or disconnected 12-volt battery can cause the immobilizer module to lose its learned key data, and owners on the C7 forums have reported coming back to a car that suddenly shows a key-not-detected warning even though nothing happened to the fob. CAN bus faults and low vehicle battery voltage can both mimic key failures on this platform. We troubleshoot what is actually happening rather than just handing you another fob.

Question 4

My 2013 A6 shows a key warning on the dash but the car still starts. What is going on?

Accepted Answer

That specific pattern, warning present but engine still runs, usually means the car detected the fob at start but is having trouble reading it consistently. On the 2013 A6, the proximity antennas are distributed around the cabin and trunk area, and if one antenna circuit has a weak connection, the system can log a fault without fully losing key function yet.

First thing to check is the CR2032. A battery that is not fully dead but sitting below the threshold the system wants will produce exactly this kind of intermittent complaint. Swap it, clear the warning, and drive it for a few days. If the warning comes back, you are looking at an antenna or wiring issue rather than the key itself. Either way, do not ignore it. Intermittent on this system tends to move toward permanent.

Question 5

Can I add a second key to my 2013 A6 myself, or do I need a tech?

Accepted Answer

You need a tech with the right diagnostic equipment. There is no button sequence or ignition-turn procedure for adding a key to the smart key system on this car. The immobilizer module requires a properly authenticated connection through the OBD port to enroll a new fob, and the process involves more than just telling the car a key exists. The module has to verify the fob's credentials and write the pairing data into encrypted memory.

If you already have one working key and just want a spare added, that is the simpler version of the job. All-keys-lost, where no working key exists at all, is the longer bench-involved process. Either way, buying a fob online and hoping to self-program it will not work on this generation.

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