Smart key FOB Programming

[P4Ring]

Hello Guys,

I have a key fob question. I got my car with one key fob. I need a second one for back up. Do I have to buy two new key fobs, or can I buy one and reprogram the existing one at the same time. Looking around I see something about locked an unlocked key fob. Based on the info, they are saying once the key fob is programmed it is locked and cannot be unlocked.

Can someone please clear that up. Thanks.

2016 S6 (C7.5) I think this is 5th generation immo.

[squirrels]

The dealer/OEM process involves getting a smart key pre-coded for your vehicle (used to be from Germany, probably still is), and then using the VAG OEM tool to code it to your vehicle. The other option is a bit more involved, has a reasonable chance of success but also chance of failure, which is to use an aftermarket immo tool (Like the chinese autel crap), and a virgin key, coding the key for your vehicle with one tool and then coding the key to your vehicle with the other. To make a virgin key you either need a clone key (which are trash from my understanding) or a used OEM one with a new blade cut for your car that has been flashed back to "virgin" status. If you are doing only one, or a few keys, it does not look cost effective at all even with the dealer price. If you already have a VAG subscription with ODIS and the VAS tool then you could order a pre-coded key from the dealer and code it to your vehicle yourself, but the bulk of the cost is the key itself.
Also what I've learned is be very careful with aftermarket immo tools on these cars, if you read BCM2, supposedly it will wipe all keys, just from the act of reading it, at which point you must do the entire "all keys lost" procedure, which may or may not require some online calculation which may or may not work anymore.
It all seems like a real PITA but it's for security of the modules to make it harder to prevent theft and parting a vehicle out. Which is rather ironic given that the car's modules were only designed with a ~10 year lifespan in mind, and use lead free processes, meaning they aren't even going to be around 15-20 years from now, some modules even less time than that.

[digdah]

Dealership only probably. For mine they ordered the new fob with precut key from Germany. When it arrived I had to go to the dealership to show proof of ownership aka title in my name. They then erased ALL keys in memory then added back the existing and then new keys. Now my vehicle shows 2 known keys. Prior it showed 3 which probably included the valet key that me as the third owner never got. YMMV.

[squirrels]

Dealership only probably. For mine they ordered the new fob with precut key from Germany. When it arrived I had to go to the dealership to show proof of ownership aka title in my name. They then erased ALL keys in memory then added back the existing and then new keys. Now my vehicle shows 2 known keys. Prior it showed 3 which probably included the valet key that me as the third owner never got. YMMV.

Key relearn procedure always requires all keys. If you don't have a key on you when the relearn is done, then that key will be erased from the system, so always make sure you have every single key with you when you get a key added to an Audi.

I think any shop with an ODIS subscription can do this for you, might save you a little $$$ depending on how much your dealer charges for the programming, but you will still have to get the key through the dealer.

As I mentioned above, there are aftermarket immo tools that can also add an OEM precoded key, or even add a totally uncoded key, used or otherwise, that has been flashed back to factory original/blank state, but if you find someone offering this service aftermarket service with no dealer trip required whatsoever, be very, very careful and make sure they are reputable and know what they are doing.