QUESTION Regarding A Replacement Key For A 2008 Pontiac Torrent

[Tiffanysangel777]

Hello! I am new here so I first would like to introduce myself. My name is Tiffany and I own a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. Thank you for taking the time to read my post and potentially giving me some input. =)

I have my Torrent for over a year now. When I purchased this vehicle it came with one set of keys and I never got a second set. (Big mistake, I know) Well, last week, I was out of town and lost my keys. I went to a GM dealer yesterday and paid them $55 for them to look up my key code and cut a new key. Not a bad price I thought. The manager told me that when I got home to put the key in the ignition for 10 minute intervals to try to get the key programmed but if that didn't work I would have to have it towed into them to have them program it. So I got home and put the key into the door to unlock it and the lights started flashing. Then a few seconds later the horn started beeping. I had normally used the key fob to unlock my doors but since I lost it I had to unlock the door manually. This was the first time this had ever happened. So I put the key into the ignition and panicked because the horn was beeping and turned the key as to start the car and it actually started. The horn stopped beeping and the lights stopped flashing. So I took the key out and tried again and the car started again. I took it for a ride around the block and everything was working fine. Even today it is running as normal. There is no security light on the dash, nothing. I am puzzled as to why I did not have to program the key. I called the dealer and the gentleman I talked to said that I must not have needed a programmable key but I read online that all Pontiac Torrents use programmable keys. I will say that about 5 months I switched out the factory radio with an aftermarket one. Would that cause this? Someone told me that eventually the key will not work and my car could shut down any time. I am afraid of this happening. Can anyone give me any advice or input on this? Has anyone else ever had this happen before? Thank you!