2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Key Replacement

The 2017–2026 E-Class uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class key guide.

2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: FBS4 (DAS4)
Programming: Dealer-only (we'll tell you before you spend anything)
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

W213 FBS4 (Abrites documents the W213 EZS as FBS4): added/replacement keys are effectively dealer-only — VIN-coded order and Xentry enablement with the car present. Push-button start standard.

What kind of key does a 2017 E-Class use?

The 2017 E-Class is the W213 generation. It comes with a smart proximity key and push-button start as standard. You carry the fob, the car senses it, and you press the button. The chip system is FBS4 (also written DAS4), and the technical sources we checked, including Abrites and kfz-dietrich, agree on that.

For you as the owner, this matters because the key is not a simple chip and blade you can have cut and copied at any hardware counter. The fob is paired electronically to the car's ignition and security module, and on FBS4 that pairing is tightly controlled by the manufacturer.

Every one of these fobs also carries a mechanical backup key. It is a small emergency blade, usually hidden inside the fob. Know where it is and how it comes out before you need it, because it is what gets you into the car if the fob battery dies.

Key type: smart proximity fob with push-button start
Chip family: FBS4 (DAS4), verified
Mechanical backup key: yes
Programming route: dealer-only

Duplicate key or all keys lost: what changes on this car?

On this setup, you do not need an original key to get a replacement. An all-keys-lost situation is possible to resolve. That is the good news, and it is worth knowing if your only fob went into the ocean or out of a car window.

The catch is the route. Added and replacement keys for the W213 are effectively dealer-only. The key is ordered against your VIN, and then it is enabled using Mercedes' Xentry system with the car physically present. Because the key is built to order, expect a multi-day wait rather than a same-day fix.

We would rather tell you that now than have you wait around for something we cannot honestly promise. If you have a spare fob, it makes things simpler for you, but having no key at all is not a dead end.

Before you replace anything: problems that look like a bad key

A lot of E-Class key complaints are not lost-key problems at all. Check these first, because they can save you a multi-day wait and a larger bill.

Dead fob battery. The car reports that the key was not detected. Replace the battery, or hold the fob against the spot the car uses as its backup reader, and try again.
Water-damaged fobs. A fob that went through the wash or a pool may stop responding even though it looks fine.
Keyless antenna or start-button faults. These can mimic a bad key. If a second fob behaves the same way, the car is more likely the problem than the fob.
Damaged fobs. Cracked housings or worn internals can cause intermittent detection and may eventually need a VIN-coded replacement.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

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

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the cost of an E-Class key?

We will not quote a number on a page, because it depends on your situation. Here is what moves the cost on a 2017 E-Class:

How many keys you need, and whether you still have a working one
Whether the issue is actually the key, or a battery, antenna, or start-button fault that does not need a new fob
The dealer's VIN-coded order and the Xentry enablement work, which is the main part of a replacement on this car
Whether the car is drivable or has to be moved to where the work happens
Any diagnostic time needed to rule out the car before ordering a key

What we confirm by VIN, and why call us first

Our verified data on this car is solid: FBS4, smart key, dealer-only programming. What can vary is the individual car, such as a build date, a prior key replacement, or a fault in the ignition module. So we confirm by VIN and in person before telling you a plan is final, not from a general chart.

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans. You get one company, not a dispatch middleman, and David oversees the work. Our line, (213) 577-1366, is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

If it turns out the dealer route is the only one for your car, we will say so plainly and help you work out the next step, rather than sending you out for something we cannot do. If it is a dead battery or a fault that only looks like a key problem, we can often help you sort it out without ordering a new fob.

For general background, see our car keys overview, our Mercedes-Benz key pages, and the E-Class guide. If you would rather send us the details, use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can a 2017 Mercedes E-Class key be copied from an existing fob?

Original-key availability is not the limiting factor here. Duplication does not require an original key, but added keys for this FBS4 car are effectively dealer-only, so a VIN-coded order and Xentry enablement are still needed.

I lost every key to my 2017 E-Class. Is that fixable?

Yes, all-keys-lost is possible on this car. It follows the dealer-only route: a VIN-coded key order and enablement with the car present. Expect a multi-day wait, not a same-day fix.

Why does my E-Class say the key is not detected?

The most common cause is a dead fob battery. Other causes include water damage, a damaged fob, or a keyless antenna or start-button fault that mimics a bad key. Try a new battery or a second fob first.

How do I get into the car if the fob is dead?

Your fob has a mechanical backup key hidden inside it. Release it and use it on the door. Then start with a fresh battery in the fob.

Does the 2017 E-Class have push-button start?

Yes. It comes standard with a smart proximity key and a start button, and the chip family is FBS4 (DAS4).

Can Wilshire Lock & Key program a new key for my 2017 E-Class?

For this car, programming is dealer-only based on the data we have. We confirm by VIN before saying anything is final, and we will be upfront about what we can and cannot do. Call (213) 577-1366.

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.