Losing the ability to remotely lock and unlock your car can be a major inconvenience. Whether you’ve purchased a new key fob, replaced a dead battery, or are taking precautions after losing a remote, programming your key fob yourself is a straightforward process for many vehicles. Specifically for Honda owners, programming your key fob at home is quick, easy, and saves you a trip to the dealership. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to program your Honda key fob, getting you back to convenient keyless entry in no time.
Dashboard of a Honda vehicle with the ignition in the ‘ON’ position, ready for key fob programming.
Step-by-Step Guide to Program Your Honda Key Fob
Follow these nine simple steps to program your Honda keyless entry remote:
Step 1: Gather All Your Remotes
Before you begin, make sure you have all the key fobs you intend to use with your Honda. When you enter programming mode, your car will erase all previously programmed remotes. Therefore, you must program all remotes you want to use in a single programming session.
Step 2: Get Inside Your Honda
Enter your Honda and ensure all doors are fully closed and unlocked. This is crucial for the programming sequence to work correctly.
Step 3: Turn the Ignition to the “ON” Position
Insert your key into the ignition and turn it to the “ON” position. This is one click before actually starting the engine. You should see the accessory lights and dashboard illuminate.
Step 4: Press the “LOCK” Button (Within 5 Seconds)
Within five seconds of turning the key to the “ON” position, press the “LOCK” button on one of your remote control transmitters for approximately one second.
Step 5: Turn the Ignition to the “OFF” Position
Turn the ignition key back to the “OFF” position, effectively turning off the accessory lights and dashboard.
Step 6: Repeat the ON/OFF Cycle Twice More
Repeat Steps 4 and 5 two more times, for a total of three “ON/OFF” key cycles. It’s important to perform each step within five seconds of the previous one to maintain the programming sequence.
Step 7: Enter Remote Programming Mode
Turn the key back to the “ON” position for the fourth time. Then, immediately press the “LOCK” button on your remote again. If you’ve followed the steps correctly, you will hear the car locks make a distinct “clunk” sound. This sound indicates that your Honda has successfully entered Remote Programming Mode and is ready to learn new key fobs. Do not turn the key off at this point.
Step 8: Program Additional Remotes (If Necessary)
If you have more than one remote to program, now is the time. Within 5 seconds of hearing the “clunk” in Step 7, press the “LOCK” button on each additional remote you wish to program for one second each. You will hear the “clunk” sound again after each remote is successfully programmed, confirming it has been added to your Honda’s system memory. Remember, a maximum of three remotes can be programmed to a single Honda vehicle. The programming mode will remain active for a total of 10 seconds.
Step 9: Exit Programming Mode and Test
Finally, turn the ignition key to the “OFF” position and remove it from the ignition. Now, test each of your programmed remotes to ensure they are working correctly by pressing the lock and unlock buttons and verifying the car responds as expected.
Important Reminders:
- Your key fob will not operate when the key is in the ignition.
- If you have lost a key fob, reprogramming your remaining remotes is a smart security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your vehicle.
By following these steps, you can easily program your Honda key fob and regain the convenience of keyless entry without the need for professional assistance.
