Chevrolet Key Specialist
Same-Day Service

It depends on the year and model. Pre-1996 Chevys used standard mechanical keys with no chip. From 1986 through the mid-1990s, many models used VATS keys with a visible resistor pellet embedded in the blade. Transponder chip keys came in with the 1999 Silverado and spread across the lineup through the 2000s. Push-to-start proximity smart keys started appearing on trucks and SUVs in 2007 and became standard on most models by the mid-2010s. If you are not sure what you have, just tell us your year and model and we will confirm exactly what key you need.

Yes. The Silverado is one of the most common vehicles we service. For 1999 through 2013 models we handle the full job on site using OBD programming and the correct transponder chip. For 2014 through 2020 models we use a PIN-based OBD process that works from your driveway or parking lot. The 2021 and newer Silverados use GM's server-based Techline Connect system that requires dealer-only tools, so for those we will let you know upfront before starting the job.

VATS stands for Vehicle Anti-Theft System. GM introduced it on the 1986 Corvette and it spread to many Chevy models through the mid-1990s. VATS keys have a small black resistor pellet embedded in the blade. The ignition reads the resistance value, and if it does not match what the car expects, the engine will not start. We can measure the resistance and cut a matching key on the spot. If your vehicle is from 1997 or newer, it most likely uses a transponder chip system rather than VATS.

In most cases, yes. For 1999 through 2020 Chevrolet models we can typically handle an all-keys-lost situation on site using OBD tools and, where required, a PIN code retrieved from the vehicle module. For 2021 and newer models, the all-keys-lost process requires GM's Techline Connect server, which is a dealer-only system. We will always tell you upfront whether we can complete the job before we start, so there are no surprises.

Not necessarily. The most common cause is a dead CR2032 battery, which costs a few dollars and takes about two minutes to replace. No reprogramming is needed after a battery swap. Cracked shells and corroded button contacts are also common on older GM fobs, particularly with the heat we see in Southern California. If a fresh battery does not fix it, we can diagnose whether the fob itself needs to be replaced and reprogrammed or if something else is causing the problem.

Most 2010 and newer Chevrolet push-to-start models have a backup procedure. Place the fob in the designated cup holder or hold it against the start button, then press the brake and push the start button. The exact cup holder position varies by model. Equinox and Traverse use the left cup holder. Silverado trucks and Tahoe use the right. Malibu and some older models have a key slot on the steering column. Check your owner's manual for the specific placement on your vehicle.

Sometimes, but there are limitations. For many pre-2020 Chevrolet models we can program a key you sourced yourself as long as the FCC ID matches your vehicle. For 2021 and newer smart keys, programming involves a server connection tied to the specific key and VIN, which can make third-party keys unreliable. Contact us before buying to confirm whether the key you are looking at will work with your vehicle.