Lost a master key, can you reprogram a new remote via RossTech?

[yoda888]

All,
One of the master keys is missing for my 2014 Q5.

The dealer wants $202 for the remote and key, and another $180 to program the remote.

I've found the key blanks on ebay for $7 and have found local locksmiths that can cut the key for ~$20.

I've also found remotes on eBay. Can I purchase these and program it myself?

Thanks!

PS: I tried searching, but the key words are used too often to find anything of use.

[spijun]

It is impossible to program a key for the Q5 with RossTech

[VroomVroom]

It's my understanding that most dealers generally won't program something they haven't sold. A couple of ideas.... First, try calling other dealers. The $180 sounds excessive to me. Second, try to frame this around something else - perhaps an accessory purchase or some service work. If you're there for another reason, my guess is that $180 might turn into $0. Good luck.

[yoda888]

Man, that's just crazy for the labor. I can understand the price of the key/remote since that's determined by Audi. But the labor, $180? It does not take 1-hour to program the remote. That's nuts. I want to see the book rate on that.

I don't have any services coming up. So no dice on it. I wonder what they would say if I bring in a remote and say the car is "out of sync" with the remote. At the same time, I can get a blank and have it cut so on the surface it would look legit. hahaha

[cobrar97]

WOW!!! I'm chaining my keys to my wrist...but then I'd be afraid yoda might come along and hack on my hand to get my remotes.

[osideaudi]

This is nothing. When my wife owned a smart car in college she lost her key and it cost nearly 1k. Find an indie shop that can do it for less. I'm sure there's a way.

[966SS]

It's my understanding that most dealers generally won't program something they haven't sold......

Not my experience, we misplaced one of ours last year, bought one one on ebay (just fob w/o hard key) and they re-programmed all keys. Can't remember how much but maybe one hour time. They also offered to reprogram again if we found the key which we did! So another re-program (again, all keys) no charge this time.

[Redd]

Fobs aren't all the same. Keyless entry, keyless engine, or just plain manual clicker. I've seen some clickers that some dealers (not Audi) wanted $150 to "program" to match the car, when a remote was $50-75 on the web and could be matched to the car (it isn't really programming, just enrolling the remote in the car's memory) in under ten minutes--IF you knew the secret buttons and sequence to push.

But according to Audi and multiple web sources, a Q5's keyless entry/keyless engine system is a highly secure system (yawn) and when the dealer codes a new remote for it, they connect to Audi HQ in GERMANY via a computer link to do so. Very special (yawn) very secure, very proprietary.

So the answer seems to be, anyone can cut a key, but a fully programmed remote? You have to pay whatever they want, all you can do is shop the dealers. Or take hostages. Or use the "emergency" fob from the glove box and settle for that.

EVERY car company gouges people on the price of remotes and programming, AFAIK. Many wholesale for about $20, and no "programming" can really justify hundreds more.

[B_Boy]

become friends with an audi tech...and bring cash