2006 Chevrolet Impala Key Replacement in Los Angeles

The 2006–2013 Impala uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Chevrolet Impala key guide.

2006 Chevrolet Impala: key facts

Key type: Transponder chip key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: ID46 (PK3+ circle-plus, Hitag2)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

B111-PT circle-plus key with separate remote fob. GM's 30-minute (3x10-minute) onboard relearn covers all-keys-lost on most PK3+ vehicles without special tooling; OBD programming with a pro tool is faster.

What kind of key does a 2006 Impala use?

The 2006 Impala is a transponder-key car, not push-to-start. The key is the B111-PT style, often called a PK3+ or circle-plus key, and it carries an ID46 chip (the Hitag2 family). The remote lock/unlock fob is a separate piece, not built into the key head. Our reference for the chip family is transpondery.com, and this year's setup is marked verified in our data.

For an owner, that split matters in a few practical ways:

The metal blade turns the ignition and the doors, but the engine will only run if the car recognizes the chip inside the key head.
A copy from a hardware store kitchen-counter machine will cut the blade, but without a programmed chip it opens the doors and then refuses to start the car.
The remote fob is its own item. If the fob is what died, you may not need a new key at all.
The key has a mechanical backup blade, so a locked-out situation with a working key is usually just a door problem, not a programming problem.

Spare key or all keys lost: what changes?

For this Impala, making a duplicate normally starts with an original key in hand. We cut the blade to match and program the new chip to the car. That is the simpler job and the more economical route, which is a good reason to make a spare before the only key goes missing.

If every key is gone, the job is still possible. All-keys-lost replacement works on this setup, and the programming is done through the OBD port. It does not require NASTF/SDRM secure-database access, so there is no dealer-only barrier on this year. We cut a new key from the lock, then program it to the car.

GM also has an onboard relearn procedure that covers all-keys-lost on most PK3+ vehicles without special tooling. It is a timed, three-cycle process where the car waits through each stage. OBD programming with a professional tool is faster, so that is the route we reach for first. The onboard relearn is a fallback, not a shortcut for you to guess at in a parking lot.

How we replace a 2006 Impala key

Here is how a typical visit goes, at our Westwood storefront or at your car with one of our mobile vans:

You tell us what you have: a working key, a worn key, or nothing. We ask for the VIN and your proof of ownership.
If there is a key, we check the blade and the chip. A worn blade that no longer turns the lock is a different problem than a dead chip.
We cut the new blade by code or from the original, depending on what is available.
We program the ID46 chip to the car through the OBD port and test that it starts the engine, not just that it turns.
We program or replace the remote fob if you need that too, then check every function before you drive away.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the price of an Impala key?

We don't quote numbers on a web page because the real job decides the cost. For this car the main factors are:

Whether you have an original key to copy, or we are starting from all keys lost.
Whether you need only the transponder key, the separate remote fob, or both.
Where the car is. A van visit to a driveway or parking structure costs us more time than you coming to the shop on Wilshire.
The condition of the lock. Worn ignition wafers on a high-mileage car can mean extra work beyond the key itself.
Whether the old key just has a worn blade. Sometimes a fresh cut solves it, and that is the lighter-cost option.

Common problems we see on this car, and one thing we confirm

Three issues come up with this year: worn ignition lock wafers on high-mileage vehicles, a worn key blade that no longer turns the lock even though the chip still works, and hardware-store copies that open the doors but won't start the engine. A tired key often looks like a bad chip when it is really a bad cut, so we check the blade before we replace anything.

One honest note: the data we use for this year is verified, but the exact key blank and fob can vary with trim and how the car was built or serviced. We confirm by VIN and in person before cutting, rather than guessing from the model year alone.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for this

We have been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024 and mobile vans that serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. You reach us directly, not a dispatch middleman, and David oversees the work. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for it before they start.

For other Chevrolet models, see our Chevrolet key pages, the Impala overview, or the full car key service list. To describe your situation first, use our contact page or call (213) 577-1366, answered around the clock.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make a key for a 2006 Impala if I lost all of them?

Yes. All-keys-lost is possible on this setup. We cut a new key and program it through the OBD port, and no NASTF/SDRM secure access is required.

Why does my copied Impala key open the door but not start the car?

The car has an ID46 transponder chip. A copy cut without a programmed chip turns the lock but the car won't recognize it, so the engine won't run.

Is the remote part of the key on a 2006 Impala?

No. The key is a B111-PT circle-plus style, and the remote fob is a separate piece. Either can be replaced on its own.

Does the 2006 Impala have push-to-start?

No. It uses a traditional key in the ignition with a transponder chip in the head.

My key chip still works but the key won't turn. What is wrong?

Usually the blade is worn, or the ignition lock wafers are worn on a high-mileage car. We check both before replacing anything.

Do I need to bring the car to you?

Not necessarily. Our mobile vans come to you, or you can visit the Westwood storefront. Call (213) 577-1366 and we will work out which is easier.

Can I program the key myself?

GM has an onboard relearn for many PK3+ vehicles, but it is a long timed procedure and needs a working cut key. OBD programming with a pro tool is faster and easier to verify.

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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.