Lost Car Keys Replacement

All You Need to Know about Car Keys, Programming and more

Buick Roadmaster Lost Car Key Replacement

All the Information You Need to Get a New Buick Roadmaster Key. Tips, Costs, Your Options, and More.

Your options to get a key replacement

Table of Contents

Introduction:

Buick Roadmaster was introduced in 1936. This model has three types of keys.

VATS key: 1994 to 1996.

Non-transponder keys: 1991 to 1996.

Please keep in mind that while some keys or key fobs may look the same, they have different capabilities/frequencies/keyways. Therefore, having the right key or key fob is essential.

Ignition:

1994, 1995, 1996: (VATS SYSTEM (B62-P-1 Thru 15)

1994, 1995, 1996 Buick Roadmaster V.A.T.S SYSTEM (B62-P-1 Thru 15) keys replacement

Door/Trunk/GB:

1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996: (S1098H/B45)

1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 Buick Roadmaster non-transponder key replacement (S1098H/B45)

Ignition:

1991, 1992, 1993: (P1098E/B44)

1991, 1992, 1993 Buick Roadmaster non-transponder key replacement (P1098E/B44)

I lost my Buick Roadmaster car keys. I don’t have a spare, so need a replacement. How and where can I get a replacement key?

3 options to get a replacement key

Generally speaking, you have three options:

  1. Call an automotive locksmith that offers a mobile service for Buick Roadmaster cars. We can help you with that.
  2. Tow the car to the dealer.
  3. Order a key online and have the dealer or locksmith cut and program it for you (if necessary).
Buick transponder key on a computer operate cutting machine

A word of caution: The type of key you need depends on the year and model of your Buick Roadmaster. Therefore, the options for getting a new key made and programmed depends on whether you need a transponder or a regular key.

A: For a more detailed explanation, including tips on SAVING TIME AND MONEY, please visit our blog post: How to get a replacement key.

Not ready to call for service just yet? Click here for some GREAT ideas on how to find lost car keys.

Buick Roadmaster key replacement near me – How to find a locksmith or dealer and what should you tell them?

Relevant information to provide a locksmith or dealer

A: First, make sure you have the exact year, make, and model, e.g., 1996 Buick Roadmaster.

Also, write down the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of the car located on the left side of the dashboard near the mirror. The VIN helps the locksmith or dealer verify the year, make, and model of the car and determine which key you had.

Finally, make sure you can show ownership of the car by having the necessary documents – title, ID, insurance card, etc.

Buick Roadmaster key replacement cost – How much does it cost to replace a Buick Roadmaster key without the original? What is the average price?

Buick Roadmaster key replacement cost

In short, replacing a Buick Roadmaster key can cost between $130 to $170. The cost depends on a number of factors:

The type of key you need.

The car’s year of manufacture.

Time of day & your location.

Where you get a key replacement (dealer, automotive locksmith, online, etc.).

Availability of code to cut a new key.

Original ignition or not.

Prices vary

The type of key you had and the year the car was manufactured are the most important factors for identifying if you need a chip, intelligent fob, “push to start”, remote, regular “non-transponder” key. The newer the car is, the better the security features the key has. On later models, you can therefore expect to pay more than $250 for a replacement key. 

Also,

the price depends on where you get a key replacement. Did your replacement key come from the dealer, or an automotive locksmith? Or did you get it online? Click here to get a more detailed explanation of how to get a replacement key.

The dealer usually charges about 10% to 15% less for the replacement key than a locksmith would charge. However, you will likely have to tow the car there to program the new key or remote. Therefore, the total price is usually higher.

Furthermore,

consider that if you have a locksmith come out and make you a new key outside regular business hours, the price may increase.

Finally,

If you have previously had your ignition cylinder replaced, which is quite common in older cars, this probably means that the code for the key may not be useful. In such cases, the key will have to be cut manually by a locksmith, or you will have to change the ignition again, and here the dealer can’t help.

For a more detailed explanation and GREAT TIPS on how to save money, please visit our blog post: Car keys replacement costs.

Can I get a Buick Roadmaster key replacement by its VIN?

That depends on the year of manufacture of your car and the type of key you had.

The VIN gives dealers or automotive locksmiths the option of accessing the key code on file – i.e., to cut you a replacement key by code which makes the process fast and easy. There are however two things to consider:

First, If your vehicle is older than 10 years, Buick dealers will no longer have its key code record, so an automotive locksmith will be your only option to get a replacement key.

Second, For vehicles equipped with a transponder system and/or a remote/intelligent key/fob key, the codes should be available. However, as coding is required, you will have to either tow the car to the dealer, or have an automotive locksmith come and code the key on site.

Buick Roadmaster key programming – which keys can you program yourself? Which keys require a programming tool? & more

Automotive locksmith programming a Buick key on-site

Buick has different types of keys. Some require programming, and some don’t. All transponder chip keys and/or smart key fobs need to be programmed. This process requires a special programming machine that only an automotive locksmith or the dealer has. There is no need to program non-transponder metal keys.

To make things simple, we divided all Buick keys into two categories:

No programming needed (Non-transponder keys).

Keys that need to be programmed (Transponder or remote keys). These keys required the expertise of an automotive locksmith or dealer.

No programming needed:

Manual car key cutting machine (HPC) – for Buick keys

Buick non-transponder keys are metal keys that have no chip in them. Therefore, no programming is needed.

S1098H/B45, P1098E/B44.

For Buick Roadmaster keys that need to be programmed, you will need an automotive locksmith or the dealer:

These keys, also known as remote smart keys, intelligent keys or key fobs, and transponder keys, have a security chip. Programming is needed. Also, a special machine is needed to program them. An automotive locksmith or dealer should do it for you. This process must be followed for most models made after 1998.

V.A.T.S SYSTEM (B62-P-1 Thru 15)

Q: I have a Buick Roadmaster key and would like to get a keyless entry system to unlock all doors as well. Can you tell me which one I should get? Will it need to be programmed and can I program it myself or not?

A: Buick Roadmaster has one option for keyless entry system. For newer models, the key you have contains a built-in keyless entry system (a remote master key or key fob/smart key). Some need to be programmed by a professional locksmith or dealer and some don’t. Below you will find all the information relevant to the Buick Roadmaster entry system.

 

Keyless entry information for the Buick Roadmaster:

Keyless entry information Buick Roadmaster

Buick Roadmaster has one keyless entry remote. Choose the year of your car:

1991-1996: ABO0103T (No self-programming available)