Question 1

How do I spot a locksmith who can't actually program my Q60 before I waste time waiting on them?

Accepted Answer

Three things to listen for when you call. First, if they won't give you a price tied to your specific vehicle, that's a sign they're winging it. Second, ask them directly what tool they use for Infiniti Intelligent Key programming. A tech who's done this work will answer without hesitation. Third, if they show up and start asking you questions they should have asked on the phone, about the fob count or whether you have push-button start, they may be figuring out the job in real time at your expense.

The Q60's key system shares its programming architecture with the broader Nissan/Infiniti lineup, and it does require professional diagnostic equipment. A locksmith who handles this regularly will know that going in and will have the tools loaded before they pull up. If they're Googling the procedure in your driveway, that's your answer.

Question 2

What exactly is a smart key and why does my Q60 need programming just to replace it?

Accepted Answer

The fob your Q60 uses communicates electronically with the vehicle's immobilizer and body control module. When you walk up to the car, the system is already reading the fob. When you press the start button, the car verifies that the key in your pocket is a registered, authorized unit before it allows the engine to run. A replacement fob that hasn't been registered to your specific car will fail that check every time, regardless of how good the battery is or how close you're standing.

Programming is what ties the new fob's identity to your car's memory. Without it, the fob is just plastic and a battery.

Question 3

What tools do you actually use to program Infiniti Intelligent Keys?

Accepted Answer

For the 2017 Q60, the programming goes through the OBD port using professional automotive diagnostic equipment that supports Nissan and Infiniti key registration procedures. For an add-a-key job where at least one working key already exists, the process is more direct. For all-keys-lost, the approach is more involved because the system needs security access before it will accept any new registration, and that requires the right hardware and the correct protocol for this generation of the platform.

The short version: this isn't a job where one generic tool covers every scenario. The all-keys-lost path on newer Nissan and Infiniti platforms is a known pain point in the locksmith trade, and techs who do this regularly invest in the specific adapters and software that handle it. I do.

Question 4

My Q60 shows a key warning on the dash but the car still starts. Should I be worried?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pay attention to it. That warning showing up intermittently while the car still starts usually means the fob's battery is dropping, the fob's internal components are starting to degrade, or there's some RF interference in the environment the car is picking up occasionally. Owners on Infiniti forums report this showing up first as a random flicker before it becomes a consistent "I-Key Not Detected" condition that stops the car from starting altogether.

Start with the CR2032. If a fresh battery doesn't clear it within a day or two of normal use, the fob itself may need to be replaced and reprogrammed. Don't wait until it strands you.

Question 5

I bought a replacement fob online. Can you just program it, or is there a problem with that?

Accepted Answer

Bring it in and I'll check it. Some aftermarket fobs for this vehicle program without issues. Others don't. The factory fob for this year has a specific identifier the car expects to see during registration, and not every third-party unit replicates that correctly. If the fob you bought isn't accepted by the system, you'll need the right one before any programming can happen. Buying the fob yourself can save money, but it also carries that risk. Either way, the programming itself still has to be done with professional equipment.

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