Premier Partner Program

How Are Remotes "Programmed" To Work With A Vehicle?

As you may realize, most replacement remotes do not work right out of the box. Think about it . . . if they did, anyone could have access to any vehicle just by buying a remote. So, in this product category we refer to remote transmitters being "programmed". In reality, the remote is not programmed; nothing is done to alter a remote during programming. It is actually the system module or receiver in the vehicle that is programmed to accept a new remote.

Factory keyless entry remotes for some vehicles require a special computer tool for programming. This computer device – which many in our product category refer to as a "scan tool" – is expensive, so many customers will not have access to one except through an automotive dealership or a well-equipped locksmith. (A code reader is not sufficient for programming.) Whether you search for a part on our website or order through our call center, RUI will always indicate when an FKE application requires dealership programming with a scan tool.

Other FKE remote applications are user programmable. This means that there is a procedure that your customer can perform without special tools to put the system into programming mode so that it will accept a new remote transmitter. In most cases, all that is required for user programming is a working key. In some cases – mainly with Chrysler applications – replacement remotes are user programmable but doing so requires the user to have one or two working remotes already. Go figure. RUI will also always indicate when parts or applications are user programmable and, if user programming requires anything other than a working key, we will inform you of that as well.

Nearly all aftermarket alarm systems are user programmable. In most cases, these are programmed using the valet/override switch (or button). Audible chirps from the siren assist the programming process. So, we always advise aftermarket alarm system owners that they should have a working valet switch and siren to easily program a replacement aftermarket alarm remote. There are also special situations, such as integrated keyhead transmitters for which the transponder that operates the immobilization feature of the key requires a scan tool for programming but for which the remote transmitter functions are user programmable. Again, whether you shop and buy on our Premier Partner website or by phoning our call center, RUI will always explain the programming situation for a part application to you at the time of specification.

All of the replacement remotes that Remotes Unlimited sells in consumer packaging for displays are user programmable for nearly all of their applications. Overall, of the 25,000+ vehicle applications in our Legacy (AAIA Standard) database, more than 50% are user programmable.

Remotes Unlimited encloses programming instructions with the parts we sell for all parts that have user programmable applications. Also, Remotes Unlimited provides free phone technical support to Premier Partners and directly to your customers for customers who are having difficulty programming their system to accept a new remote.

Premier Partners should always advise their customers of the programming situation for their replacement remote application. Dealerships generally charge from 1/4-hour to 3/4-hour as a labor charge when they program a replacement remote. In most cases, they charge this whether or not the part is purchased from the dealership. If the application requires a scan tool for programming, your customer will have to take their vehicle and all associated remotes for the vehicle to a dealership or well-equipped locksmith and they will likely face a charge for the service. You can imagine their likely displeasure if you do not inform them of this.

If the application is user programmable, then buying the remote from you creates even more value. Not only will your customer likely save money on the cost of the part, but they will also be able to program the system in their vehicle to accept the new remote, thus saving the dealership labor charge for that service. Some Premier Partners generate additional revenue by offering to program user programmable remotes for a modest charge – $10 to $20 – for their customers who do not want to go to the trouble of doing so themselves.