Hi 180..The spare Skreem is a used one programmed to your Vin?..The Skreems that Needswings supplies are from salvaged vehicles and reprogrammed to our Vin so our keys still work...There are so many posts but i havent found anything definitive to explain the system completely...Fob with the chip, the ring around the ignition,the actual key cylinder and the skreem working in tandem with each other...It's all very confusing to a new owner...thanks, jeff