Don't think so, the chip is only needed to initiate ignition I think. Someone might want to double verify me on that, but a cut key should open the truck with no alarm shenanigans. Worst case the alarm sounds, but you can grab the fob you locked in accidentally and just disable it immediately.

The hard part is finding someone to cut your key. I tried and failed over numerous places with my Xterra to get a key cut and everyone refused except for a couple locksmiths who said it would cost a ton of money and I would have to chip the key. Something about they just don't do it anymore due to theft - which makes virtually no sense to me given 98% of the cars on the road today require a chip to start so a cut key is useless for vehicle theft. But I dunno, maybe it is more local laws to me or something here in Nebraska.

Of course the dealer would do it to, so long as they also chipped it, for like $375 (in 2020 money, no less, probably like $500+ now).

 

If you provide a registration etc they will do it. If the car is present they can’t pull that crap.

Clint

 

You should be ok. On my Juke, I've used the physical key to unlock my door when my fob battery died. The alarm didn't go off. If you have an ACE hardware, that's my go to place for keys. They have never let me down. The employees are also very friendly and you get free popcorn.

 

Funny enough, I got turned down by two Aces for this (would have been late 2020 or early 2021). They said they do not cut car keys with chips anymore. Implied it was to prevent theft, and also people would get the key cut and then come back mad because it didn't work to start the vehicle and Ace themselves cannot program the chips - heck even a lot of locksmiths can't program the chips, depending on the manufacturer it can require a bespoke piece of hardware to do that.

Could have just been my local stores though IDK. I still stuck with Ace for copying other types of keys until a year or so ago when I found out that both Lowes and Home Depot will copy a key for like $2.00 plus the cost of the blank.

 

My fobs each have an actual key hidden within. Does anyone know if the "chip" is in the fob or in that key?

 

Fob

 

2017 SV. I got a Rogue key with the remote built in to the key. Took the key fob apart, took the RF chip out and installed it in the Rogue key. It is just a standard key. Took it to my local locksmith, they made a spare without a chip. I can use it to unlock the door, turn on the ignition and do anything else except start the car. They didn't even charge me to make the spare key. I bought the Rogue key off Ebay for about $10. Works great and don't have to carry around a key and a remote.

 

I went to the dealership and told them that I wanted a spare key to unlock the door. They cut one and gave it to me.

I have no idea what happened to this wonky keyboard. It only happens on fora forums. 🤬

 

I tested to satisfy my curiosity. The fob, with hidden key removed, both unlocks and starts the truck. The key alone, w/o the fob, will only open the truck. I suppose the key could be removed and hidden outside the cab. I'm probably the only one who didn't know this already. Bet it's in the manual.

 

I have a 2014. So it uses a key to start, unlock the drivers door and tail gate. Was given one fob and two keys when I purchased from the dealer. I can grab the key alone, no fob and start and drive it. Just no remote for locking or unlocking with a button. The key has the security chip. The fob communicates only when locking or unlocking the doors.

 

Same as mine.

The key that the dealership cut only unlocks the door. Since there's no chip in it, I can't start it.

That would have cost me a lot more.