Hello just bought a used 2012 GS and it only came with one key. It has a 1 on the bottom of it. I have a few questions:

Where do you recommend getting a 2nd key? Prices on the net are all over the place.

I assume I need a #2 key since mine says 1?

When I start the car the dash says driver 2. That has nothing to do with the key I assume?

Why does the blade part come separate? I assume I would want that with a 2nd key right?

I'll go thru the posts on here to program it but need more basic help first. Thanks!

Dave

 

The fob number inscribed on the fob is just for your convenience. Obviously your fob was programmed for the car as no. 2. GM always programs 2 fobs for all new cars, so the fob you have will work the options on the car.

When you get another fob for the car, you have 2 choices how to program it for the car. Those 2 programming procedures are in your owner's manual as well as being posted here.

The shorter procedure will just add the new fob, automatically programming it as fob #3 with no access to the car options, such as radio setting, climate control, etc. All it will do is lock, unlock, and start the car.

The longer procedure reprograms all fobs that you have, beginning with #1, then #2. That also causes the fob originally programmed for your car as #1 which you do not have to no longer be programmed for your car.

The blade is a key for the keyhole over the rear license plate to allow you to unlock the rear hatch. It's required to open the rear hatch if you don't have a fob that's programmed for the car near the push button also located above the rear license plate. That button also unlocks the rear hatch if a fob is nearby

 

like Vett said, the number on the fob case is for your benefit so you know which one you have in your hand, you can buy either.
also like Vett said, the key would only be important if you are locked out (fob or car battery dead?) and need key by tag light to open hatch.

when you say blade.. i assume you mean key. like the sample here in red circle.. (your 'blade' part has me confused to what you mean)

 

[QUOTE=Vette_DD;1590062231]The fob number inscribed on the fob is just for your convenience. Obviously your fob was programmed for the car as no. 2. GM always programs 2 fobs for all new cars, so the fob you have will work the options on the car.

It's not obvious to me. Is it 2 because the car says driver 2?


The shorter procedure will just add the new fob, automatically programming it as fob #3 with no access to the car options, such as radio setting, climate control, etc. All it will do is lock, unlock, and start the car.

I know I have to read the manual but I didn't know the fob controlled other options? Maybe I'm not following you on this. So I'd be able to start the car but the radio wouldn't work?

 

Yes that's how I've read it in some of the sites selling them. Sorry. I should've just said fob and key.

Any advice as best purchase place or just go with the cheapest I find as long as it's a GM part I'd guess?

 

[QUOTE=Gooner;1590062479]GM sells the car along with 2 FOBs. Number on FOB is so you can tell them apart. When you press the FOB memory 1 or 2 button on the inside of the door, your personal settings will be associated with the FOB you have present.... for instance...
my wife has fob with #2 on it. she wanted to be driver #1 (vain?). so she set seat, radio, column, HUD, other stuff the way she wanted them, then pressed #1 on door memory button. so, she now has #2 fob but car recorded her personal settings as driver #1.
i get in with #1 fob, make everything the way i want, press #2 button.

so, everything will work with either fob, your personal settings will only work with fob's 1 and 2.

the car can be programmed with up to 4 fobs. however, fobs 3 & 4 will NOT be able to have any personal settings, that only works for fob programmed as 1 & 2.

sooooooooo... accidentially one day i had wife's #2 fob, got into car, pressed start, the seat started moving forward (she is short) , i am crunched, car is just setting all personal preferences for fob the driver has on them.

(also note , that someone in this world has your other 'missing' fob and until you reprogram the car they can enter and drive it)

note: and i dont in amy way mean to be rude or mean or even sarcastic , but yes , read the manual. i did, every darn page. i know , who needs instructions, well, learned alot, most i have since forgotten... lol

 

Ok excellent info! Thanks. Just what I was looking for! Now to buy one.....

Dave

 

First, I would ask the seller, private party or dealership, to provide you with the second key fob. If they do not have it already, ask them to buy one from GM.

If you buy a used one it can be programmed to your car, but the key will not work and you will need to have a new key cut.

Once you have a second fob in hand, use the long version in the Owners Manual to reprogram both fobs. This is important because it cancels the missing fob. And it doesn't matter what number is stamped on the fob - whichever one you program first will show as #1 (on the DIC) and so forth.

 

I think others may have answered but when you have two fobs programmed when you start the car it will bring the seat settings, telescoping steering wheel, outside mirrors, radio presets, dic message, hud settings and ac settings to what is set for each fob. Makes it nice if you have two different drivers as you don't have to reset everything after someone else drives the car. I don't have that issue as no one else drives mine. My used 2011GS only had one fob. My dealer ordered me one at near cost for $105. I initially did the short program but that made it fob#3 so did not control settings, later did the long version and both work fine. Don't pay them to do it. Easy to diy.