General notes on Volvo keys for SPA/CMA platform:
- You can program any compatible key fob to the car, new or used. There is no key “virginizing” needed with the Volvo key fobs. Just drop the key in the cupholder and pair it, VIDA guides you through the process.
- Programming (adding a key fob) is available in VIDA, “keyless appl”. You can DIY if you can get VIDA or the dealer of course can do it.
- I don’t know if dealers will refuse to use customer supplied or “used” keys. Whatever they tell you is just some policy, nothing is stopping them from using VIDA and programming any compatible key fob.
- There are variations in key fob frequency: 434MHz, 315MHz and 434MHz “narrow band”(for S. Korea).
- I am focusing on the 434MHz keys used in North America, but there is enough similarty this should still be helpful for those in markets with different remote frequency.
- I’ll talk about the key variations, but not Volvo part numbers, there are far too many to track them all, and I was more interested in using recycled keys.
- These cars can have 2 variations of key operation, “keyless starting” or “keyless locking and unlocking (Passive Entry)”. Though for NA I’m pretty sure all SPA/CMA cars have the full passive entry system standard. Regardless all use the same key fobs, and same programming process.
- I’m not really addressing the physical “emergency blade” in the key. In short a dealer can cut one for you, or a locksmith registered with Volvo can as well, without the car (usually need proof of ownership) or you can find one to copy an existing blade, and blanks can be found easily in the aftermarket.
If you want to add or replace a key fob with a used one, what are the types to look for? They are pretty well priced on EBay and elsewhere, pop in a new battery and it’s good as a new one. I got a few fobs programmed to the car, more than I need perhaps 😉
So let’s get into it…
Key varitations – Motion Sensing (MS)
Starting in 2021, Volvo updated key fobs with new cars to “Motion Sensing” style. The sole purpose of the motion sensing key is to be resistant to “relay attack” theft that proximity key fob systems are vulnerable to. The key shuts off, it won’t respond to the car, when left sitting still for some length of time, via a motion sensor integrated in the fob. Volvo offers an accessory for pre-2021 cars to upgrade the keys to the “MS” type. The kit is an entire set of replacement key fobs for the car, brand new and not cheap of course! You can identify these keys by the mfr (Huf) model number HUF8423 is the non-MS, while the MS key is approproately the HUF8423MS. You can also use the FCCID that is popular for used keys to be advertised and sold by: YGOHUF8423 / YGOHUF8423MS. The various part and regulatory numbers are printed in the area inside the key, under where the key blade sits. On the sport key tag the printing is on the back of the case, the models of sport key tag are HUF8432/HUF8432MS, FCCID YGOHUF8432/YGOHUF8432MS. (note the confusingly similar part numbers and also these are the 434Mhz specific parts!)
You can use and program these keys interchangably. The motion sensing feature is entirely contained within the key fob.
Key variations – Styles and shells
There are various different looking styles of keys. Volvo looks to have “cheapened” the keys over the years. My 2019 S60 came new with 2 leather shell key fobs matching the interior color, plus the buttonless waterproof sport key tag. I understand new Volvos today come with 2 plastic shell key fobs. Volvo has also offered some accessory replacement key shells in various colors and finishes like woodgrain. All shells appear to be compatible with all fobs, you can mix and match them as you like. I upgraded my own car with used “MS” keys with the cheap plastic shell, I simply swapped my original leather shells to the replacement key fobs. I also picked up a sweet unused amber leather shell from EBay at a great price, so now my wife knows which fob is hers, and there won’t be any doubt as to “who” lost their key fob that was missing for 9 months!! (It was somewhere under the seat of her Mazda)
One note is some of the plastic shell keys have black buttons. Swapping a shell from a “silver button” key will give the key a different look, but of course the function won’t be affected.
There is not too much additional to know about the sport key tag, the battery is not technically replacable, but it can be done. So buying those used it up to you. I could never get the case apart so it goes back together well. I bought a new MS key tag to upgrade. Then I noticed the key tag I had replaced under warranty, was already the MS type! So I got 2 good MS key tags in my collection now.
Key variations – Restricted Key and Care Key
Volvo has offered 2 “special” key types:
Restricted Key (Red Key): This key allows using the car with various restrictions. Speed limited, stereo volume limited, not able to turn off some safety features
Care Key (Orange Key): This key allows using the car with a maximum speed limit. If a maximum speed limit is not set, it is essentially a normal key
Restricted or Care Key are controlled by how the car was delivered from the factory. Volvo does have a service software the dealer can order to disable restricted key function on a car originally equipped and delivered with the red key, at the owners request. You may have questions about the behavior of these special keys if you program them to your own car. I will give a few notes and examples to make it clear.
If you have a car delivered without restricted key or care key (or you had “restricted key” removed by the dealer):
Any red key or orange key programmed to the car works as a normal key
If you have a car delivered with the restricted key:
Any red key or orange key programmed to the car operates as a Restricted Key
If you have a car delivered with the care key:
Any red key or orange key programmed to the car operates as a Care Key
A few last notes…
- If you swap shells around with your keys, do not worry about losing track of the special keys. The shell release slider on the fob matches the color of the original shell, orange or red, so you can identify the special keys without the shell.
- There are definitely MS and non-MS versions of Red Keys, I think the newer Care Keys are all MS version.
- Polestar compatibility: All the above applies. I don’t know that Polestar cars ever offered the special keys. You can mix and match with the Volvo keys, the model and FCCID is the same, it’s the same key with a different shell.
Hope that is helpful as a reference, as the cars age and keys are broken or lost, and the dealer quotes for a new programmed key are high, you might wonder what your options are.