Chevy Cruze

Chevy Cruze: Program New Key Fob Remotes

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You can program key fob remotes for your Chevy Cruze without going to the dealer. Just use these steps.

Contents

Steps If You Have 2 Programmed Remotes

  1. Turn the vehicle completely off.
  2. Place two key fob remotes that are already programmed into the front cup holder in the front of the cab.
  3. Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver’s side door handle.
  4. Insert the new key into the key lock cylinder on the outside of the driver’s side door.
  5. Turn the key to the unlock position 5 times within a 10-second interval.
  6. If performed successfully, the display on the instrument panel should read “Ready for remote #.”
  7. Take the 2 previously recognized keys out of the front cup holder.
  8. Place the new key in the front cup holder.
  9. Press the “Engine Start/Stop” button. The key will be programmed by the computer in the vehicle.
  10. Once the display on the instrument panel shows “Ready for remote #” again, remove the key from the cup holder. Press the “Lock” and “Unlock” buttons on the remote to test it out.
  11. If you have more key fob remotes to program, repeat steps 8 through 10 again with the new one.
  12. Once you are done programming key fob remotes, press and hold the “Engine Start/Stop” button for 12 seconds to exit programming mode.
  13. Return the vehicle key back to the transmitter.

Steps If You Have 1 Programmed Remote

Note: This process will take more than 30 minutes to complete. It will also deactivate any remotes that have been previously programmed for the vehicle.

  1. Turn the vehicle completely off.
  2. Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver’s side door handle.
  3. Turn the key to the unlock position 5 times within a 10-second interval.
  4. The display on the instrument panel should now read “Remote learn pending, please wait.”
  5. Wait for 10 minutes until the display reads “Press engine start button to learn,” then press the “Engine Start/Stop” button.
  6. The display will show “Remote learn pending” again.
  7. Repeat step 5 two more times.
  8. After the third time, the display on the instrument panel will read “Ready for remote #1“.
  9. Place the key fob remote in the front cup holder.
  10. Press the “Engine Start/Stop” button. The key will be programmed by the computer in the vehicle.
  11. Once the display on the instrument panel shows “Ready for remote #” again, remove the key from the cup holder. Press the “Lock” and “Unlock” buttons on the remote to test it out.
  12. If you have more key fob remotes to program, repeat steps 9 through 11 again with the new one.
  13. Once you are done programming key fob remotes, press and hold the “Engine Start/Stop” button for 12 seconds to exit programming mode.
  14. Return the vehicle key back to the transmitter.

Key Troubleshooting

Note: Only RKEs (Remote Key Entry) will work with a Chevy Cruze.

  • If you are having trouble with an RKE or need to reprogram a key, you should take the key and the vehicle to a local Chevrolet dealer.
  • If you have lost a key, a Chevrolet dealer can also make sure that key can no longer access your vehicle. Each Cruze vehicle can have as many as eight keys attached to it.

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3 thoughts on “Chevy Cruze: Program New Key Fob Remotes”

  1. One thing that needs to be added in your instructions. Section 2, step 9 “place the key fob remote in the front cup holder” is not entirely accurate. If the car has a manual transmission, the programming takes place in the rear cup holder. This distinction would have been nice and would have saved me a whole bunch of time. Otherwise, good instructions.

    Reply

    • I noticed in my owners manual under Keyless Entry System there is a paragraph titled, Programming without Recognized Transmitters,(new) step 4 place in front cupholder for automatic or rear cupholder for manual transmission. I just lost my key fob. Don’t have a second one and after 4 days, 5 trips from locksmith and 7 hrs total it’s programmed and drive-able BUT there is a lock icon with a wrench lit up that won’t go away. Yes, we followed the steps disconnecting the battery etc., etc. to disengage it but won’t work. Any ideas?

      Reply

  2. Thank you for the clear and easy step by step instructions. One question though. After programming the new fob, do I need to do the same steps with my old fob.

    Reply

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