Chevrolet keys — what you should know
GM key systems have moved through several generations, from the resistor-pellet keys of the 1990s through transponder systems to current proximity keys. We cover all of them. Older GM trucks with worn ignition cylinders are a recurring job — the symptom is a key that needs jiggling, and it is repairable rather than requiring a column strip in most cases.
The key system on a Chevrolet
| Keyway | B111/B119 on later vehicles; resistor-pellet keys on 1990s models |
|---|---|
| Immobiliser | Several GM generations — VATS, then PK3-type transponder, now proximity |
| Models covered | Silverado, Equinox, Traverse, Malibu, Tahoe, Trax, Colorado, Suburban, and the rest of the range |
A model not listed is not a problem — give us the year and we will confirm before dispatching.
Chevrolet keys — questions
Can you make a Chevrolet key if I have lost all of them?
For most Chevrolet models and years, yes, and at the vehicle rather than at a dealership. B111/B119 on later vehicles; resistor-pellet keys on 1990s models — we cut from code obtained through authorised channels or by decoding the lock directly, then program to the immobiliser on site. Several GM generations — VATS, then PK3-type transponder, now proximity. We verify ownership before any of it, every time.
What kind of key does a Chevrolet use?
B111/B119 on later vehicles; resistor-pellet keys on 1990s models. Several GM generations — VATS, then PK3-type transponder, now proximity. This matters because cutting alone is never enough on a modern vehicle — a key cut without programming works the lock and turns the ignition, and the engine cranks and does not start. Give us the year and model and we will tell you exactly which key your car takes before coming out.
How much is a Chevrolet key, and how long does it take?
Price follows the key type, not the badge — a transponder key is at the low end, a remote head key in the middle, a proximity smart key at the top because the blank itself is expensive. A spare with a working key present is usually thirty to sixty minutes on site. All-keys-lost takes longer, and several makes impose a manufacturer security wait of ten to sixty minutes during programming that nothing can shorten.