NEW Smart Key Programming
 

I have a brand new, MBZ factory "Additional" key that was dealer ordered for my 06 E350 Wagon. The dealer did not have access to the car when the new key came from MBZ. I was told that it had to be "programmed" by a dealer but I also have read that it will work immediately and many other stories abound.

Do any of you learned folks, preferably those who actually work for MBZ dealers, actually know what to do in this case? Again: brand new factory supplied "additional" key for a 2006 E350 that has not been local dealer programmed to the car.

Happy New Year!

Does the car not respond to the key?

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

{snicker} generally, the 'programming' that the dealer touts as a big critical service simply
involves inserting the Smartkey in the ignition and letting the EIS interrogate the key...
i.e. a simple handshaking process. normally the turnaround time is less than it takes to eat a
hamburger...if it is needed at all. frequently the key is plug n play. regardless, the owner
can perform this part themselves and forego the $50~ if they're aware of the process

The key is programmed at the parts depot - they used to all come from Baltimore. The dealer does not do any programming and does not need the car.

EIS can support 8 separate keys, call them 1 through 8. The car comes with keys 1 & 2 from the factory. Each key can also be replaced two times. If the dealer has sold you key number 3 (or 4, or 5...) it will work immediately, both the remote and starting the car. If the dealer has sold you a replacement for key 1, or 2, etc. then you need to stick it in the ignition and wait while EIS does its work. The old key will no longer function in this case - which perhaps you want to happen. The challenge is of course that when you lose or break a key, you typically don't know which key number it is. The dealer wants to sell you a new key number so that one of your existing keys doesn't suddenly stop working - that would not be good for customer satisfaction.

I finally received the new key from the dealer that ordered it for me. The packaging states that the key originated from Stuttgart, Germany but was shipped to the local dealer from MBZ in Grapevine, Texas. I imagine that the Texas operation did the cutting of the metal key and the programming of the Smart Key from the blank supplied by Stuttgart.

In answer to my question about the dealer programming necessary, the key worked perfectly right out of the bag. It remotely opened the locked car and when inserted into the key slot, it started the car. The metal key worked perfectly too.

If anyone has the misfortune to have to order a new key, don't pay extra for dealer programming before you actually try the new key as it is probably just a way for them to check its operation and get paid for doing it.

Thanks for your replies and Happy New Year to you all!

Just received the new one, see my reply below.