Does Walmart Make Car Keys? (How To, Cost, Key Types, and More)

Losing or misplacing your car keys can be a daunting experience. That's why having an extra copy of your car keys is a precaution every car owner should take. As the largest retailer, you may wonder whether Walmart can help duplicate your car key. This article will explain Walmart's key-cutting services and how you can utilize them to make a copy of your car keys. Keep reading to learn more.

Getting spare car keys for your car may seem pointless, but having one is handy. You may lock your keys inside the car, lose them, or even break your key. In such situations, having a backup key can save the day. You may also want a spare car key for your family members. Whatever the reason, Walmart may help you get a duplicate car key. In this article, we'll show you how to duplicate your car keys at Walmart easily.

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Does Walmart Make Car Keys?

Yes, Walmart does make car keys. Walmart offers key copying services through their MinuteKey kiosks. Like vending machines, these self-service kiosks allow users to duplicate older metal car keys.

However, the machine cannot duplicate car keys with electronic transponders or RFID chips. At Walmart, car key copying services are priced differently depending on the type of key. Usually, the price ranges anywhere between $2 and $6.

How to Duplicate Car Keys at Walmart?

MinuteKey kiosks offer a user-friendly touchscreen interface that makes it easy to make your car keys. You can find the Minute Key at your local Walmart store. However, keep in mind that not all Walmart locations have the Minute Key kiosk. Here are the steps to duplicate your car keys at Walmart using the MinuteKey kiosks.

Step 1: Press the Start Button on the Minute Key machine to start the key duplicating process

Step 2: Insert your Car Keys into the designated slot on the machine.

Step 3: Select your desired style. This allows you to customize and add a little personality to your copy car keys

Step 4: Select the number of copies you want

Step 5: Choose your payment method and complete the payment

Step 6: Wait for the machine to duplicate your key

This process can take up to 7 minutes to complete. You can ask a Walmart associate to help you if you encounter any problems. You should also check to ensure the keys are identical and working. If, for some reasons the duplicate copy of your key isn’t working, Walmart offers a refund for all keys made via their MinuteKey kisosks within 30 days.

How Much Does it Cost to Make Your Key at Walmart?

Walmart charges a fee of between $2 and $6 to make a copy of your car keys. However, the prices may go higher depending on your vehicle's make, model, and year. The MinuteKey machine allows you to pay with your credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or even cash. Ideally, you should consider paying with your card rather than cash. Paying with cash requires you to insert the exact amount since the machine can't give your change.

What Types of Car Keys Can Walmart Make?

In most cases, Walmart can make keys for older cars—mostly those manufactured before 1999. These cars have a simple metal key with no plastic or electronic components. They are easy to copy and should only take a few minutes to complete.

However, modern cars usually come with complex keys—RFID or transponder chip keys—which are harder to duplicate. Therefore, Walmart cannot make a copy of these keys in their stores. The point is, MinuteKey kiosks are designed to make copies of metal car keys. However, there are exceptions to that rule. For instance, the machines won’t make copies of the following types of car keys:

Contactless keys
Chip keys
Car keys for restricted properties e.g. public schools
Keys labeled “Do Not Duplicate”

That being said, most car manufacturers don't want stores like Walmart to be able to make copies of their chip keys. Therefore, they assign each car a unique code that allows them to communicate with their keys.

This security measure ensures that only the manufacturers have the technology to program and make a new key for their car brand. Walmart can help if only the fob or buttons that unlock your car are broken. They sell replacement fobs that a locksmith or dealership can program to work.

Benefits of Cutting Your Car Keys at Walmart

While the MinuteKey has various limitations, there are quite a number of benefits that come with making your car keys at Walmart. They include:

Affordability: Unlike locksmiths and car dealers, Walmart offers a more cost-effective way of making a copy of your car keys.
Automation: The MinuteKey kiosks are fully automated, allowing you to duplicate your car keys swiftly. They are also self-service only, without an option for Walmart associates to control them remotely.
Simplicity: All you have to do is insert the key and select your style and how many copies you'll need.
Saves time: Walmart saves you a trip to your dealership and allows you to avoid long waiting times. It'll only take a few minutes to duplicate as many car keys as you want.

What to Do If the Duplicate Keys Are Not Working?

While the Minute Key is highly accurate, there are cases where the copy car key fails to work. Walmart offers a 30-day refund policy for all keys made through the MinuteKey machine. You'll have 30 days to apply for a full refund if your key doesn't work. You can fill the MinuteKey's online form or call the toll-free number for complaints at (800) 539-7571.

Do All Walmarts Make Car Keys?

Absolutely not. Car key copying is available in most, but not all, Walmart stores. Worth noting is that key copying at Walmart is only available via the MinuteKey kiosks which are often located at the front of the store. If you can’t see any bright green kiosks at the front of your local Walmart store, then chances are that store doesn’t offer the service. Rather than take chances trying to find a Walmart store that offers car key copying, it’s better just to find the nearest MinuteKey kiosk located on the official Walmart site.

What to Do If Walmart Can't Make Your Car Keys?

Unfortunately, car dealerships make it impossible for parties other than them to make key copies of the newer cars. Therefore, you'll be required to schedule an appointment with your car dealership to have your key replaced.

They can get the unique code from the manufacturer and duplicate your key. While this may be more expensive, there is no other way to make a copy of car keys with a chip. After getting the unique code, the car dealership should make a copy in under an hour.

Other Types of Keys that Walmart Can Make

Apart from car keys, the Minute Key kiosks at Walmart stores can help you duplicate the following types of keys:

House keys
Office keys
Garage keys

MinuteKey kiosks can duplicate the most common key brands. However, remember that they can't copy keys for high-security locks or restricted areas. This is to prevent unauthorized access to the secured places.

Conclusion

Your local Walmart likely has everything from clothes to groceries—and car keys are no exception. By incorporating the MinuteKey kiosks, Walmart can make a spare copy of your car keys. Prices range from $2-$6, and the kiosks take about seven minutes to make copies of the standard keys of cars older than 10 years. However, Walmart may not help if your car uses the modern transponder and RFID keys. In such cases, it would be best to consider visiting the dealership that sold you your car.