i picked up "el blanco" (the kids named her) my new "old" (or is it old "new" car?), a lovely 2005 zxw w/43k/sunrf BUT it came with only one key.

no problem, i went to autozone but they don't cut keys. i went to home depot but the clerk said this key "might" be chipped and i should go to my local ford dealer and when i do be prepared to spend $150 for another key.

what!!!

please talk to me about chipped keys.

do all 2005 ford focus zxw have "chipped" keys?

how can someone determine if a key is chipped?

what will it cost me to get a 2nd key from my ford dealer?

is there a cheaper alternative to the ford dealer?

now, just because i'm questioning this chipped key bizness, doesn't mean that i'm not really loving having "el blanco" down in the park spot. she looks great, drives well, zipped thru traffic on the way home-did i mention that i'm lovin' this!

any and all thoughts are greatly appreciated.

as always, ymmv

be well

rob

All Foci use "chipped" keys as you call it.
It's actually called a PATS key. (Passive Anti Theft System)
The computer in the car reads the chip in the key, and if it's not the right one the car won't start.

You have to have 2 PATS keys to program a new one.
(instructions are in your owners manual if you got one with the car)
Since you only have one, you have to go to the Dealer.
They have a VERY expensive machine that can read your key's code in order to make another one.
You may find a locksmith shop that has that machine, but due to the price it'll be an extremely rare occurance.

You can find cheaper PATS keys than from the Dealer, but you still need to pay through the nose to get it programmed.
Having to pay $100 for the programming is not out of the question.

if your looking for a spare key to just open the doors then go to wal-mart and have a spare key, the key will only work in the door and as mentiond above by WD the car wont start, but you wont have to worry about locking the good key in the ignition. hope that helps some...WD beat me most of it.