Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Lost Car Key Replacement – All the Information You Need to Get a New Mitsubishi i-MiEV Key. Tips, Costs, Your Options, and More.

Mitsubishi car keys replacement – Key fob and transponder keys

Call Us Now: 800-223-1453

- 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.
- Already have your key? Need information to guide you through programming your Mitsubishi i-MiEV transponder key?

Quick access or go to FAQ

Click on the type of key you had or your year model below to get the most accurate information:

2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017: (OUCG8D-625M-A)

2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV transponder car key replacement (OUCG8D-625M-A)

Call Us 24/7: 800-223-1453

FAQ:

Q: I lost my Mitsubishi i-MiEV car keys. I don’t have a spare, so need a replacement. How and where can I get a replacement key?

Generally speaking, you have three options:

First, call an automotive locksmith near you that offers a mobile service for Mitsubishi I-MiEV cars. We can connect you with a locksmith near you.

Second, tow the car to a Mitsubishi dealership.

Third, order a key online and have the dealer or locksmith cut and program it for you (if necessary).

A word of caution: The type of key you need depends on the year and model of your Mitsubishi I-MiEV. Therefore, the options for getting a new key made and programmed depend on whether you need a remote key fob, a transponder chip key, or a regular metal key.

Let’s review each option.

Locksmith:

Mitsubishi key fob coding by an automotive locksmith

An automotive locksmith can make most car keys on-site, including keys for the newest Mitsubishi I-MiEV models. Most automotive locksmiths offer a mobile service because most Mitsubishi I-MiEV keys made after 1998 need to be programmed or coded to the car.

This Coding process can’t be done remotely and involves connecting the coding machine physically to the car’s OBD (like in the picture below) and therefore the car must be present.

Car OBD and coding machine

Saying that, you will have to make sure that the locksmith carries the necessary equipment to cut and program a replacement key, including the right coding machine (e.g. MVP Pro Car Key Programmer Advanced Diagnostics or Autel MaxiIM IM608S) and the right key blank (remote key fob or chip key).

The best way to do that is to provide the locksmith with the year make and model or VIN number when you call.

Because Mitsubishi I-MiEV is a very common car, chances are they will have the right key blank for your model.

“Lishi tools” used by an automotive locksmith to decode Mitsubishi I-MiEV keys

Usually, a locksmith would be your fastest, most convenient and cheapest option overall to get a replacement key.

Order the key online:

Transponder key on a computer operated cutting machine

Today you can get most Mitsubishi I-MiEV keys online (with the exception of the most recent model) and relatively fast within 24 Hr. Getting a replacement key online has its pros and cons.

This option is mostly relevant for people who need a duplicate or spare key and can drive the car.

For people who have lost their Mitsubishi I-MiEV keys and don’t have a spare, it may not be as relevant.

The reason is because when you order a key online, it is what we call a “blank key”.

A blank key is a key that needs to be cut, and, as mentioned above for most Mitsubishi I-MiEV keys made after 1998, programmed or coded with a special machine.

Mitsubishi car key coding machine

Therefore, ordering a replacement key online is only the first step. You will still have to contact and pay either the dealer or locksmith to have the key cut and programmed.

Moreover, remember that although many car keys may look alike, they have different security features and chip values. This is especially true for remote key fobs sold online and so it’s very easy for most people to get confused and order the wrong key.

The third option- Mitsubishi dealership:

The last option to get a Mitsubishi I-MiEV key replacement without the original is to look for a Mitsubishi dealership near you.

The plus side is that they will have the right key blank in stock and should be able to program the key for you as well, even for the latest model as they carry the newest coding machines for Mitsubishi models.

Advanced Diagnostics “Smart Pro” coding machine for Mitsubishi i-MiEV car keys

The downside is that the dealership usually charges more for a replacement key than a locksmith would.

Another major downside of getting a replacement key at the dealership is that if you had a transponder chip key or key fob (or in other words if your car was made after 1998 as explained above) you will have to tow the car there, which will make the process even more expansive.

Rekey kit to change Mitsubishi i-MiEV ignition cylinder parts

In conclusion,

If your Mitsubishi I-MiEV had a chip key or key fob, and you need a replacement ASAP, a locksmith would be your best bet.

The only exception for that is if you just bought a brand-new car, and then a Mitsubishi I-MiEV dealer would be the best way.

In case you only need a spare key, you can try and get it online, but make sure you know exactly which key blank or part number you need.

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

Tool to check chip value of Mitsubishi car key

Q: Mitsubishi i-MiEV key replacement near me – How to find a locksmith or dealer and what should you tell them?

First, make sure you have the exact year, make, and model, e.g., 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

In addition, 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.

Also, keep in mind that many locksmiths offer mobile service and travel up to 30 miles radius from where their store is located. Therefore, depends on your location, it might be a good idea to expand your search and call for a few additional quotes, even if on the map, these locksmiths seems to be far from you.

Remember,

Their distance as you see on the map, is their business address, not their physical and current location. All you have to make sure, is that they carry the right equipment to cut and program your Mitsubishi i-MiEV key.

You can also try and call a few Mitsubishi dealers near your location, but remember that you will need to tow the car there.

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

Q: Mitsubishi i-MiEV key replacement cost – How much does it cost to replace a Mitsubishi i-MiEV key without the original? What is the average price?

In short, replacing a Mitsubishi i-MiEV key can cost between $200 to $270. 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

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.

Mitsubishi key fobs are more expensive to replace than transponder keys

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.

On-site service for Mitsubishi car keys

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.

Ignition cylinder parts

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

Q: Can I get a Mitsubishi i-MiEV key replacement by its VIN?

A: 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:

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

Q: Mitsubishi i-MiEV key programming – which keys can you program yourself? Which keys require a programming tool? & more

A: Mitsubishi 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.

Key coding machine for Mitsubishi key fobs and transponder keys

To make things simple, we divided all Mitsubishi 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 the dealer.

No programming needed:

Car key cutting machine

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

Mitsubishi i-MiEV has none of this key type – the only Mitsubishi i-MiEV key has a chip and needs to be programmed.

For Mitsubishi i-MiEV keys that need to be programmed, you will need an automotive locksmith or the dealer:

Car key coding machine for Mitsubishi key fobs and transponder keys

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.

OUCG8D-625M-A.

Keyless entry information for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV:

For year models 2012 to 2017, there is a built-in keyless entry in the transponder key.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV transponder key battery – important information: How to replace, size, cost, and more.

Key battery replacement information – Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi i-MiEV model uses a transponder chip key, here is some important information you should know about the battery.

Watch a short video here: how to replace this transponder key battery, type of battery and more:

Mitsubishi i-MiEV key battery information:

Mitsubishi i-MiEV transponder key is battery operated. Every two years or so, or when the battery is low, you may need to change the key battery. Here is all the information you need.

The type of battery you need is a CR-1616. The average price for these batteries is about $5.

You can order CR-1616 online here.

Also, you can find it at Home Depot, Walmart, AutoZone, etc.

Here is some general information about the Mitsubishi i-MiEV key battery:

Type of battery: CR-1616 lithium

CR-1616 key battery replacement

Size: Diameter – 16 mm, height – 1.6 mm

Finally, remember that your battery life depends on several factors such as usage, weather conditions, etc. To better protect your Mitsubishi i-MiEV key and extend its battery life, it may be a good idea to have a key cover or a case. You can order a key fob cover here.