Today, one of the most popular cars out on the roads is Mercedes-Benz. Millions of people drive Mercedes and enjoy the comfort, style, and luxury they provide.
But as with any popular car, there is always a risk that something will go wrong. One common issue that drivers of Mercedes-Benz vehicles face is a Mercedes key replacement.
This article will cover the Mercedes key fob replacement cost and how to program a new key fob yourself on your Mercedes-Benz.
What is a Key Fob, and How Does it Work?
A key fob is a small rectangle-shaped device that interacts with your car’s keyless entry system to unlock the doors. The fob communicates via a radio frequency (RF) signal with your car.
When you’re within range of your car, the fob sends a signal to the keyless entry receiver, which unlocks the doors.
Some key fobs even have a panic button that locks all the doors and triggers the alarm system.
The key fob became popular in the 1980s as a keyless entry system for luxury cars.
Mercedes was one of the first auto manufacturers to offer keyless entry, and it quickly became a standard feature on many high-end vehicles.
Keyless entry systems have since become more common on cars, trucks, and SUVs.
If you lose your key fob, you can usually buy a replacement from your dealership or car manufacturer.
You’ll need to program the new fob to work with your car, which can sometimes be done by following a few simple steps. Usually, though, your local authorized dealership needs to program the key fob.
An automotive locksmith can also program some key fobs.
If your key fob stops working, it could be because the battery is dead. Most key fobs use a CR2032 coin cell battery, which can be replaced by following the instructions in your car’s owner’s manual.
You may also need to replace the key fob if it sustains damage from water or other elements.
In some cases, though, you may be able to have your key fob repaired by a qualified technician.
Mercedes Key Fob Replacement Cost
The cost of a Mercedes key replacement can range anywhere from $200 to $300 on standard Mercedes cars. A Mercedes key fob replacement on luxurious Mercedes cars costs up to $550. To perform a Mercedes key fob replacement, you need to visit your local authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.
An important aspect to keep in mind when it comes to Mercedes key fob replacement is that only an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership can order and program a new key.
This is a safety measure added to ensure customer and vehicle safety.
The Mercedes-Benz key fob replacement process is quite complex and requires some documentation to be completed in person at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership.
Without the proper paperwork, forms and signatures, it’s not possible for a Mercedes-Benz smart key to be ordered or programmed successfully.
If you’ve lost your Mercedes-Benz key, don’t worry – your dealership can disable the key to ensure that it can’t be used to access your car.
Related: P0420 Code – Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, & Fixes
In some cases, a new key may not be necessary – often, a new battery is all that’s needed to get your Mercedes key fob working again.
On older Mercedes-Benz cars, on the other hand, it might be possible to program a Mercedes key fob by following the guide below.
How to Program Mercedes Key Fob
If you are a proud owner of a Mercedes-Benz that needs a key fob replacement, don’t worry – the process is quite simple but limited to older models.
Most aftermarket Mercedes key fobs for older cars come with easy-to-follow instructions on how to program them.
Here’s how to program a Mercedes-Benz key fob on older models:
- Open the key fob and remove the metal key hidden inside.
- Insert the metal key into your car’s ignition and turn it to the “on” position.
- Hold down the unlock button on your key fob until the car’s hazard lights start flashing.
- Remove the metal key from the ignition and place it back into the keyless entry receiver.
- Close the keyless entry receiver and wait for the hazard lights to stop flashing.
- Your key fob is now programmed and should work as intended.
If you follow these straightforward six steps, you will be able to program your new Mercedes key fob replacement in no time.
Keep in mind that some models of Mercedes-Benz may require a slightly different procedure, so always consult your car’s owner’s manual if you are unsure.
On newer Mercedes-Benz cars, you cannot program the replaced key fob yourself unless you have dealership tools such as the CGDI MB Programmer program, making you have to visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership in person.
Having trouble with your ignition switch? Then make sure to check out this 6 Bad Ignition Switch Symptoms and see how much it cost to fix it!
Aftermarket Mercedes Key Fob Replacement
Mercedes key fobs are hard to replace. There is a slight issue with aftermarket Mercedes-Benz key fobs. You can’t program them at home or with an unlicensed mechanic on modern Mercedes cars.
On the other hand, if your Mercedes has a standard key, you can find a locksmith to copy the key and program the fob . If you have the new keyless type of Mercedes key, you have to go through an authorized dealer for a replacement.
On the other hand, you could save money by buying the key itself from Amazon and taking it to a locksmith.
The aftermarket Mercedes keys on Amazon are cheaper, and you don’t have to go through the dealership.
But if you can’t find a locksmith that will cut the key for you, there’s no other way to replace a Mercedes key fob but to go through the dealership.
However, you can still avoid spending upwards of over $300 on a standard key by buying just the key from Amazon and taking it to a locksmith service.
FAQs
How Do I Get a New Mercedes Key Fob?
If you are in need of a new Mercedes key fob, there are not many ways to go about getting a new one. Mainly, you have to order a key fob from Mercedes (by visiting the dealership in person) and have a key fob programmed at the authorized Mercedes dealership.
Summary
Replacing a Mercedes key fob can be expensive but is necessary to keep your car and its contents safe.
Only an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership can program a replacement key fob, so it’s important to take your car to an authorized dealership if you lose or damage your key.
In some cases, a new key may not be necessary – a new battery may be all that’s needed to get your Mercedes key fob working again.
Replacing a Mercedes key fob can be expensive and complex but is necessary to keep your car safe.
Ensure you go to an authorized dealership to get your new key fob programmed and always have the proper documentation.
If you lose your car key, don’t worry – your authorized dealership can disable the lost key so it can’t be used to access your car.
Since the key fob on a newer Mercedes is impossible to program yourself, we’ve provided an easy-to-follow guide for older Mercedes models and aftermarket Mercedes key fob replacements in case of a lost or broken key.
The good news is that if you have a newer Mercedes car, you can easily bring the key fob into an authorized Mercedes dealership and have them program it for you.
So, whether you’ve lost your Mercedes key, had it stolen, or it’s just broken, don’t worry – your authorized Mercedez dealership has got you covered.
