Possibility of key fob reuse?

[borowanlan]

Hi all,
My car came with just 1 fob and was just wondering of the possibility to reuse second hand key fobs. Some car brands lock their keys once programmed and they can't be used in another car, are tesla keys like that? Because I can see a ton of second hand keys on ebay for example ... And if it works, would be nice.

 

[DerbyDave]

Unless things have changed for the 2021+ MS, you must take your fobs in to the SC with your car to get them reprogrammed to work with your car. And check both before you leave. If you take only one, only one is going work after the programming. You can get up to 3 programmed to match your car.

 

[RichAZ/CapeCod]

Picked up our new M3 SR yesterday. Tried to have wife's FOB programmed for both our MY and the new M3. No can do. Tesla staff (two of them) tried. FOB would only take one car at a time.

Rich

 

[drtimhill]

Picked up our new M3 SR yesterday. Tried to have wife's FOB programmed for both our MY and the new M3. No can do. Tesla staff (two of them) tried. FOB would only take one car at a time.

Rich

I think the OP was asking about multiple fobs per car, not the other way around.

 

[DerbyDave]

Picked up our new M3 SR yesterday. Tried to have wife's FOB programmed for both our MY and the new M3. No can do. Tesla staff (two of them) tried. FOB would only take one car at a time.

Rich

Makes sense. edit: makes sense that a fob an only be assigned to one car.

 

[borowanlan]

I think the OP was asking about multiple fobs per car, not the other way around.

No, I was asking if I could buy a second hand fob from ebay and program it to my car. I have a key programming tool so I don't need Tesla SC for this.
Looks like I'll be buying the $170 fob from Tesla store.

 

[KalJoMoS]

Before you do this, make sure that you get the second generation fob as Tesla have updated it’s security level from the original, not that secure fobs. I think it’s only available in Europe, not sure about NA and other regions.

 

[borowanlan]

Unfortunately I have to buy it from the USA, since my car is US spec, and there is a difference in frequency. US is 315 mhz, EU is 433 mhz. I doubt a 433 remote will work on my car.

 

[WilliamG]

Unless things have changed for the 2021+ MS, you must take your fobs in to the SC with your car to get them reprogrammed to work with your car. And check both before you leave. If you take only one, only one is going work after the programming. You can get up to 3 programmed to match your car.

I’m confused. While I haven’t played with the fobs that came with my car, I’m pretty sure you can pair/unpair it right in the car (same way you pair/unpair a key card) on the 2021+.

 

[RichAZ/CapeCod]

I’m confused. While I haven’t played with the fobs that came with my car, I’m pretty sure you can pair/unpair it right in the car (same way you pair/unpair a key card) on the 2021+.

Just paired my wife's new FOB for our MY this evening. Piece of cake.

Rich

 

[KalJoMoS]

Just paired my wife's new FOB for our MY this evening. Piece of cake.

Rich

Yes, sure, as it’s Model Y. This discussion is about Model S, and not the refresh 2022 edition.

 

[WilliamG]

Yes, sure, as it’s Model Y. This discussion is about Model S, and not the refresh 2022 edition.

It is?

 

[DerbyDave]

My understanding is the 2021+ does not need service intervention for key fob pairing, but I know my 2020 and older, I must take to service.

 

[WilliamG]

My understanding is the 2021+ does not need service intervention for key fob pairing, but I know my 2020 and older, I must take to service.

That's correct as far I've been aware.

 

[AGator]

Hi all,
My car came with just 1 fob and was just wondering of the possibility to reuse second hand key fobs. Some car brands lock their keys once programmed and they can't be used in another car, are tesla keys like that? Because I can see a ton of second hand keys on ebay for example ... And if it works, would be nice.

Did you ever get an answer. I have a 2015 MS and have I I Love you one fob that works but have two others that are used - need to know if these other two used ones(which did not come with the car) can be reprogrammed at the SC or will they tell me that they won’t be able to reprogram the used ones?

 

[RichAZ/CapeCod]

One data point. We turned in a 2020 MY for a 2023 MY and my wife's fob was easily switched over.

YMMV

Rich

 

[KalJoMoS]

Did you ever get an answer. I have a 2015 MS and have I I Love you one fob that works but have two others that are used - need to know if these other two used ones(which did not come with the car) can be reprogrammed at the SC or will they tell me that they won’t be able to reprogram the used ones?

Most certainly they would be able but be prepared for negative answer. You need to ask service to perform the programming, and be sure you bring your working fob with you. They need all your keys for this to proceed.

 

[RichAZ/CapeCod]

Most certainly they would be able but be prepared for negative answer. You need to ask service to perform the programming, and be sure you bring your working fob with you. They need all your keys for this to proceed.

Hmmm. Activating fobs (wife has two, for two Teslas) only took the regular credit card size "key" to mate with the car.

Rich

 

[KalJoMoS]

And where would one get that “regular credit card size key” in Model S manufactured at 2015? If one will get that then what would be the use of such key?

 

[E90alex]

Hmmm. Activating fobs (wife has two, for two Teslas) only took the regular credit card size "key" to mate with the car.

Rich

This is not applicable to legacy model S/X