2016-2020 Buick Envision models for the U.S./Canada market use a smart key (proximity) system with push-button start and a 5‑button keyless entry fob that includes a removable mechanical emergency key blade. Programming additional fobs is done through an onboard procedure that uses existing working smart keys, the driver’s door lock cylinder, and the interior transmitter pocket, without requiring separate locksmith or dealer tools. A learned fob must be recognized by the vehicle’s immobilizer system before it will start the engine or operate keyless entry.
Key types used on the Envision:
smart/proximity key (keyless access with push-to-start and removable emergency key blade) (2016-2020)
Common fob FCC IDs: HYQ4AA — check the back of your fob; we confirm the exact variant on site.
2016 Buick Envision
Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment
Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.
2 Vehicle must be turned off for programming procedures.
Programming step
3 All transmitters (recognized and new) must be present for programming with a recognized transmitter.
Programming step
4 No recognized transmitter available allows programming up to eight transmitters (feature not available in Canada).
Programming with a Recognized Transmitter
Programming step
1 Place recognized transmitter(s) in the front cupholder before beginning.
Insert the key
2 Insert new transmitter’s vehicle key into driver door key lock cylinder and turn to unlock five times within 10 seconds; DIC displays READY FOR REMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5.
Programming step
3 Place new transmitter in the front cupholder after DIC prompt.
Press / hold a fob button
4 Press ENGINE START/STOP button to learn transmitter; DIC will prompt for next transmitter.
Press / hold a fob button
5 Remove transmitter from pocket and press unlock; to finish, press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit programming mode after all are added.
Programming without a Recognized Transmitter
Programming step
1 Procedure requires vehicle off and all transmitters to be programmed present; duration approximately 30 minutes.
Insert the key
2 Insert vehicle key into driver door lock cylinder and turn to unlock five times within 10 seconds; DIC displays REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
Hold fob to START button
3 Wait about 10 minutes until DIC displays PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO LEARN, then press ENGINE START/STOP; DIC will again show REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
Programming step
4 Repeat previous step two more times; after third time, previously known transmitters no longer work and DIC should show READY FOR REMOTE #1.
Press / hold a fob button
5 Place new transmitter in front cupholder and press ENGINE START/STOP to learn; remove and press unlock; repeat for additional transmitters and press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit when finished.
DIC Prompts & Sequence Details
Programming step
1 DIC displays READY FOR REMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5 when programming with a recognized transmitter after key turns.
Wait / timing window
2 DIC displays REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT at start of learn sequence without recognized transmitter.
Hold fob to START button
3 DIC displays PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO LEARN after approximately 10 minutes during no-recognized-transmitter procedure.
Programming step
4 After repeating the start-button step three times without recognized transmitters, DIC displays READY FOR REMOTE #1.
Programming step
5 DIC indicates readiness to program the next transmitter each time a transmitter is learned.
Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment
Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.
Show the programming methods (19 steps)
Vehicle and Requirements
Programming step
1 Vehicle must be OFF for programming procedures
Programming step
2 All transmitters (recognized and new) must be present when required
Programming step
3 Programming without two recognized transmitters not available in Canada
Programming step
4 Procedure duration for no recognized transmitters: approximately 30 minutes
Programming with Two Recognized Transmitters
Programming step
1 Place recognized transmitters in front cupholder before starting
Insert the key
2 Insert new transmitter’s vehicle key into driver door key lock cylinder and turn to UNLOCK five times within 10 seconds
Programming step
3 DIC displays READY FOR REMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5 when ready for new transmitter
Press / hold a fob button
4 Place new transmitter in front cupholder and press ENGINE START/STOP to learn it
Press / hold a fob button
5 Remove transmitter and press UNLOCK; repeat steps for additional transmitters; press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit
Programming without Two Recognized Transmitters
Insert the key
1 Insert vehicle key into driver door key lock cylinder and turn to UNLOCK five times within 10 seconds to start learn sequence
Hold fob to START button
2 DIC displays REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT followed by PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO LEARN after 10 minutes
Press / hold a fob button
3 Press ENGINE START/STOP when prompted; repeat this press sequence two additional times (three times total) causing previous transmitters to stop working
Press / hold a fob button
4 DIC displays READY FOR REMOTE #1 after third press and previous transmitters are erased
Press / hold a fob button
5 Place new transmitter in front cupholder and press ENGINE START/STOP to learn; remove and press UNLOCK; repeat for additional transmitters; press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit
Steps and DIC Prompts
Wait / timing window
1 Initial key turns: five times to UNLOCK within 10 seconds triggers DIC prompts
Wait / timing window
2 Common DIC messages: READY FOR REMOTE #n and REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT
Hold fob to START button
3 After 10 minutes DIC shows PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO LEARN during no-recognized-transmitters method
Programming step
4 Successful learn indicated when DIC shows ready to program next transmitter
Wait / timing window
5 Exit programming by holding ENGINE START/STOP for 12 seconds when finished
Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment
Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.
Show the programming methods (19 steps)
Preparation
Programming step
1 Vehicle must be off and all remotes to be programmed must be present.
Programming step
2 Two different procedures: one when two programmed remotes are available; one when not available.
Programming step
3 Remote pocket locations referenced: front cupholder and armrest storage area.
Programming step
4 Feature to program up to eight remotes when two programmed remotes are not available (not available in Canada).
Programming step
5 Estimated time for full relearn procedure (without two programmed remotes): approximately 30 minutes.
Procedure when two programmed remotes available
Programming step
1 Place the two programmed remotes in the front cupholder.
Remove the key
2 Remove key lock cylinder cap on driver door handle.
Insert the key
3 Insert vehicle key of new remote into driver door key lock cylinder and turn to unlock five times within 10 seconds; DIC displays READY FOR REMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5.
Press / hold a fob button
4 Place new remote into the front cupholder, press ENGINE START/STOP; DIC indicates when remote is learned and ready for next remote.
Press / hold a fob button
5 Remove remote from pocket and press unlock; repeat Steps 3–5 for additional remotes; press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit programming when finished.
Procedure when two programmed remotes not available
Remove the key
1 Remove key lock cylinder cap on driver door handle.
Insert the key
2 Insert vehicle key into driver door key lock cylinder and turn to unlock five times within 10 seconds; DIC displays REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
Hold fob to START button
3 Wait about 10 minutes until DIC displays PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO LEARN; press ENGINE START/STOP; DIC shows REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
Turn ignition to ON
4 Repeat key turn step two additional times; after third time, previously known remotes no longer work and DIC shows READY FOR REMOTE #1.
Press / hold a fob button
5 Place new remote into remote pocket inside armrest storage area; press ENGINE START/STOP to learn; remove remote and press unlock; repeat for additional remotes; press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit programming when finished.
Post-programming and additional notes
Programming step
1 When remote is learned, DIC will show readiness to program the next remote.
Programming step
2 After programming, put the key back into the remote.
Programming step
3 Removing previously known remotes occurs during the relearn process when two programmed remotes are not available.
Programming step
4 Canada restriction: multi-remote learn feature (up to eight remotes) not available in Canada.
Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment
Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.
Show the programming methods (15 steps)
Preparation steps & tools
Programming step
1 Have all currently programmed and new remotes on hand before starting.
Programming step
2 Ensure vehicle is turned off prior to initiating programming.
Remove the key
3 Remove key lock cylinder cap on driver door handle to access cylinder.
Programming step
4 Use vehicle key from remote for manual insertions into driver door cylinder.
Programming step
5 Place remotes into armrest storage remote pocket and cupholder as specified.
Programming with two programmed remotes
Programming step
1 Place the two programmed remotes in the cupholder before starting.
Remove the key
2 Remove driver door key lock cylinder cap and insert new remote’s vehicle key into cylinder.
Turn ignition to ON
3 Turn key to unlock position five times within 10 seconds; DIC displays READY FOR REMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5.
Press / hold a fob button
4 Place new remote into armrest storage remote pocket, then press ENGINE START/STOP to learn remote.
Press / hold a fob button
5 After learning, remove remote and press unlock; repeat Steps 3–5 for additional remotes; press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit programming mode.
Programming without two programmed remotes
Remove the key
1 Remove driver door key lock cylinder cap and insert vehicle key; turn to unlock five times within 10 seconds to initiate learn mode.
Hold fob to START button
2 DIC displays REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT; wait 10 minutes until DIC displays PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO LEARN, then press ENGINE START/STOP.
Turn ignition to ON
3 Repeat the insert-and-turn sequence two additional times; after third time, previously known remotes will no longer work and DIC shows READY FOR REMOTE #1.
Press / hold a fob button
4 Place new remote into armrest storage remote pocket and press ENGINE START/STOP to learn each remote; remove and press unlock after each learn.
Press / hold a fob button
5 Repeat learning for additional remotes; when finished press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit programming mode and put key back into remote.
Year coverage comes from our consolidated vehicle programming dataset. Route-level programming status is reviewed against internal route sheets and available manufacturer, security-access, and professional tool references. Exact button sequences are marked source-verified only when we have year/equipment-specific support; where a year is labeled “route verified, steps vary,” we confirm the exact fob, trim, and prompts before programming. Reviewed for route and safety by Mohammad H. Abdelhadi, ALOA-Certified Master Locksmith.
Year
Route status
Exact steps
2016
Route verified
General guidance
2017–2018
Route verified
General guidance
2019
Route verified
General guidance
2020
Route verified
General guidance
Common questions
What type of key does my 2016-2020 Buick Envision use?
It uses a 5‑button smart key (proximity) remote with push-button start and a removable mechanical emergency key blade for the driver’s door lock.
Can I program a new Buick Envision fob myself?
Yes. 2016-2020 Envision smart keys can be programmed with an onboard procedure using existing working keys and the vehicle controls, following the specified steps.
Does my Buick Envision key fob have a physical key inside?
Yes. The Envision smart key contains a removable emergency key blade that can be used in the driver’s door lock cylinder if the fob battery is dead.
Can you program a Envision key fob without going to the dealership?
For most years, yes - the route is onboard relearn or an OBD tool, both of which a mobile locksmith handles at your location.
Does this program the remote only, or the transponder key too?
It depends on your key type. Tell us your FCC ID and we will confirm.
What if my year says professional programming required?
Those years need a programmer or security access; we bring the tool to you and program it on site.
How much does it cost?
It depends on year, key type, and whether you have a working key. Call (833) 439-8636 for a firm price before we dispatch.
Need your Envision fob programmed? We come to you, 24/7.
