Question 1

What is the cheapest way to replace my 2018 Volvo V90 key?

Accepted Answer

Call a mobile locksmith before you call the dealer. Volvo dealer pricing on a smart key replacement tends to be on the higher end of the market, and that often does not include towing if the car has no working key. With EZ Car Keyz, you get the fob, the programming, and the service done at your location -- at The Collection, at your home in Oxnard, wherever the car is. No tow, no multi-day wait for a key to be ordered, no separate line items for parts and labor. Call for current pricing.

Question 2

How much harder is all-keys-lost on the V90 compared to just adding a spare?

Accepted Answer

Significantly harder, and that is not dealer spin -- it is real.

When you still have one working key, adding a second is a programming session through the diagnostic port. The existing key authenticates the process and the module registers the new fob alongside it.

When all keys are lost, there is no working credential to start from. The security module has to be accessed at a deeper level, the existing key data has to be read and then cleared, and new keys are generated and enrolled from a clean state. That process requires more advanced equipment and more time. Some independent locksmiths will not take on Volvo all-keys-lost jobs at all because the tooling and security data access requirements are more involved than most other brands.

The practical advice: get a spare made while you still have a working key. It is faster, simpler, and costs less than the all-keys-lost route.

Question 3

Do aftermarket Volvo fobs work, or do I need a genuine OEM key?

Accepted Answer

Used OEM fobs can work when programmed with the right professional equipment -- V90 owners on forums have reported sourcing used fobs and having them successfully enrolled. The security system does not require the fob to be virgin from the factory; it just needs to be properly registered to the car.

Cheap aftermarket electronics are a different story. Volvo's security system is not forgiving of low-grade hardware, and a fob that does not meet OEM spec can cause pairing failures or inconsistent behavior after programming. Volvo dealers also typically refuse to program fobs they did not sell, so if you bring one in, you may be turned away.

We use OEM-spec fobs from professional automotive suppliers, not the $15 listings. There is a difference in build quality, and it shows up during programming and in day-to-day use.

Question 4

My V90 key fob range has gotten noticeably shorter. Is that a dying battery or something else?

Accepted Answer

Usually the battery. The CR2032 in the V90 fob does not fail all at once -- it fades, and shortened range is one of the first signs. Swap the battery before anything else.

If range stays short after a fresh CR2032, check how the battery is seated. A slightly cocked battery or a contact that got bent during a previous swap will cause exactly this symptom. If the fob housing has been opened before and the contact plate was pried instead of released cleanly, the contact may not be making full connection even with a good battery.

If range is still off after a correctly seated new battery, the fob's internal antenna or circuitry may be the issue, and at that point a replacement fob programmed to your car is the better path forward.

Question 5

Can I start my V90 if the fob battery is completely dead?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The V90 has a built-in backup for this. Hold the fob directly against the start button -- the car can read the key through a passive signal that does not depend on the fob's battery. It is not widely advertised, but it works. Check your owner's manual for the exact contact position since it varies slightly by fob design. Keep that in mind before you call a tow.

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