We get this call almost every week from Altadena couples. One spouse takes the car to work down in Pasadena, the other is stuck shuffling the single fob like it’s a relay baton. After about two weeks of that, somebody finally calls us. If you’re tired of trading the same plastic clicker back and forth before every trip to Webster’s or Grocery Outlet on Lake Avenue, here’s what you should know before booking .
Why a Second Fob Makes Sense Sooner Than Later
Most people wait until the original fob breaks, gets lost on a hike near Cobb Estate, or ends up in the wash. By then you’re paying for an emergency replacement instead of a calm, scheduled second fob. Adding a spare while the first one still works is cheaper because we already have a working key to clone the immobilizer data from. Once both are programmed, either driver can grab the car and go.
We’ve also had couples in the foothills above Loma Alta who needed a second fob specifically because one spouse commutes early to JPL and the other handles morning school drop-off. Two drivers, two schedules, one car — a second fob solves it.
What to Have Ready Before You Call
1. The original working fob
This is the big one. If you still have the original and it works, programming a second fob is straightforward and significantly less expensive. If the original is gone, we can still do an all-keys-lost job, but it’s a different process and a different price.
2. Your photo ID and vehicle registration
We confirm the car belongs to you before we touch the security system. Easiest way is a driver’s license matching the registration address. If the title is in one spouse’s name, that spouse needs to be present at the appointment.
3. The year, make, and model — and ideally the VIN
A 2018 Toyota Camry and a 2021 Camry don’t use the same fob, even though they look similar from the driveway. Send us the VIN when you book and we’ll arrive with the correct blank.
What Programming a Second Fob Actually Costs in Altadena
Pricing depends on your vehicle. A Honda Civic from 2015 is one of the easier jobs — flip key, basic remote, we’re done in about 20 minutes. A newer Lexus or a German car with a proximity smart key takes longer and the blank itself costs more. We give a firm quote over the phone once you tell us the year and model. No surprise fees when we pull up to your house off Mariposa Street.
If your car uses a proximity setup instead of a traditional fob and physical key, take a look at our notes on — the process is slightly different and the blank is more expensive, so it helps to know which system you have.
Where We Meet You
We come to you. Most appointments happen in driveways across town — from the homes along Christmas Tree Lane on Santa Rosa Avenue, to the streets east of Farnsworth Park, to the newer builds near Loma Alta Park. If your car is parked at the Altadena Library or the Altadena Community Garden, we can meet you there too. The programming machine runs off the car’s OBD port, so all we need is the vehicle, the original fob, and about 15-30 minutes.
Two Tips Most People Miss
Label your fobs
Sounds silly until two identical fobs are sitting in the same kitchen drawer. A small piece of colored tape on the back, or a dot of nail polish, saves arguments. We’ve seen couples in Altadena Meadows do everything from initials to little stickers.
Test the panic button before we leave
Lock, unlock, trunk, panic. We always run through all four with both fobs before we pack up. If something doesn’t respond, we fix it on the spot rather than have you call back the next morning.
Booking the Appointment
Most second-fob jobs in Altadena get done same-day if you call before mid-afternoon. We cover the whole 91001 area and the nearby pockets of unincorporated LA County, plus we handle the rest of our Altadena locksmith services from the same truck — so if you’ve been meaning to rekey a deadbolt or get a house key copied, mention it when you book and we’ll knock both out in one visit.
Give us a call at (818) 398-9391 when you’re ready. Tell us your year, make, model, and which corner of Altadena you’re in, and we’ll give you a real price before we head out. — Locksmith HQ Team
