Question 1

How long does the Audi dealer take for a key replacement on a 2009 S5?

Accepted Answer

Audi dealers typically need to order the key, and on a car this age the part does not always sit on a shelf locally. Owners on Audi forums have reported waits ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on supply. Once the key arrives, you still need a programming appointment during service hours, and the actual immobilizer enrollment requires the dealer's factory diagnostic software with a live server connection. If there is any sync hiccup, the car can sit in the bay for hours while they sort it out. One forum member showed up expecting same-day service and left with a follow-up appointment instead.

With me, the whole job happens on site, same day. No ordering wait, no appointment queue, no trip across town.

Question 2

What exactly is a remote flip key and what does it do on the 2009 S5?

Accepted Answer

It is a single unit that does two separate jobs. The key blade folds into the fob body when not in use and pops out at the press of a button. Inside the fob is a transponder chip that talks to the immobilizer every time you turn the ignition. The fob also has 3 buttons for the remote functions. Both sides of the key need to be working for the full experience, but they can fail independently of each other. A worn blade is a mechanical problem. A dead battery kills the remote. A chip or programming issue affects the start. Knowing which layer failed is the first step in fixing it.

Question 3

Why does the Audi dealer process take so long for key replacement?

Accepted Answer

Three bottlenecks stack on each other.

First, the key itself. On a 2009 S5, the dealer may not have the exact flip key assembly on hand and may need to order it. Depending on supply, that alone can add days.

Second, the appointment. Programming requires factory diagnostic equipment and a live server connection to the manufacturer's systems. That work happens during service hours, in a bay, with a trained tech. Bay time books up.

Third, the actual enrollment. If the immobilizer does not handshake cleanly with the new key on the first attempt, the dealer has to troubleshoot it on their timeline, not yours.

The whole chain can turn a 45-minute job into a multi-day event. I come to you, I do it in one visit, and you do not lose the car for days.

Question 4

My 2009 S5 flip key remote stopped working but the car still starts fine. Do I need a full replacement?

Accepted Answer

Probably not. The remote and the ignition transponder are independent systems sharing one housing. If the car starts normally, the chip side is doing its job. A dead CR2032 is the most common reason the remote buttons stop responding. Swap the battery, make sure it is seated flat against the contacts, and test all three buttons. If the remote comes back, you are done. If the battery is fresh and the buttons are still dead, the issue is in the remote circuit or the receiver in the car, which is a different conversation. But do not replace the whole key before ruling out a two-dollar battery.

Question 5

Can I use a replacement flip key fob I bought online for my 2009 S5 without getting it programmed?

Accepted Answer

No. The remote side of an aftermarket fob needs to be paired to the car before the buttons do anything. The transponder chip inside also needs to be enrolled in the vehicle's immobilizer before the car will start with it. A flip key you buy online is an unprogrammed shell. The blade still needs to be cut to your specific lock, and the electronics need to be registered. Some owners on Audi forums have bought aftermarket fobs expecting a plug-and-play swap and ended up stuck with a key that neither starts the car nor works the locks. What you bought online can still be used, you just need someone with the right diagnostic equipment to finish the job.

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