Car key and lockout FAQ

For most vehicles, yes. We create a new key without the original and program it to your car on site. Have your registration or title and ID ready so we can confirm ownership.

Yes. We come to the car with professional automotive entry tools and work carefully around the door and seals. If a child or a pet is inside, call 911 first.

Most domestic, Asian and European makes, from Toyota, Honda and Subaru to Ford, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. Key systems vary by model year, so tell us the exact year and model and we will confirm before we drive out.

It depends on the vehicle, the key type and whether you still have a working key. Call or send a request with your year, make and model for a quote on your car.

Sometimes. Aftermarket fobs vary. Send the part number or a photo and we will tell you if it will work with your car.

Yes. We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.

Yes. Downtown Bellevue garages are routine for us. Tell us the building name and level when you call.

Your ID, the vehicle registration or title, the year, make and model, and the exact location of the car.

For most vehicles, yes. If no working key is left, see our all keys lost service. We can usually create a new key from scratch and program it on site.

Usually not. A copied blade may turn the lock, but if your car uses a transponder chip the engine will not start until a matching chip is programmed to the car.

Some stores and kiosks can copy basic keys and certain chip keys when you bring a working key. A key made with no original, a high-security key or a smart key usually needs a locksmith or the dealer.

It depends on the vehicle, the type of key and whether you still have a working key. Call or send a request with your year, make and model and we will quote your car specifically.

We use tools made for automotive entry and work carefully around the door frame and seals, which is very different from forcing a door or breaking a window.

Policies vary, and many departments only help in emergencies. If a child or a pet is inside, call 911 right away. For a regular lockout, call a locksmith.

Yes. For most vehicles we can open the car and make a new key on site. See our all keys lost service for details.

Yes. We open locked Tesla vehicles on site. Call with the model and year so we can plan the visit.

Yes. We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.

On many vehicles, yes. Removing lost keys from the car’s memory means they will no longer start it, even if someone finds them. Ask us whether your car supports it.

No. We come to the car, whether it is at home, at work, on the street or in a parking garage.

Some policies and roadside plans include key replacement, many do not. Check with your insurer or roadside provider.

It depends on the vehicle and the type of key. Call with your year, make and model and we will give you a quote for your car.

Sometimes. It depends on the fob and the vehicle. Send us the part number or a photo and we will check before you book a visit.

Some parts stores can program certain remotes for some vehicles. Smart keys, fobs with an immobilizer chip and many newer cars usually need a locksmith or the dealer.

Often the fob battery is low. If a new battery does not fix it, the fob or its pairing may be the problem, and we can test both on site.

We program many European models. Systems vary by model year, so give us the exact year and model and we will confirm first.

For many vehicles, yes. Smart keys are programmed to the car rather than copied, and we do that on site.

Some stores can copy basic keys and certain chip keys. If your key is a smart key, a laser-cut key or a remote-head key, a locksmith is usually the better route.

On many vehicles, yes. If a previous owner may still have a key, ask us about removing unknown keys from the car’s memory while we add yours.

Often, yes. Many ignition problems are solved by replacing or repairing the cylinder alone. We check the switch and the key as well before deciding.

Not always. A new cylinder can often be rekeyed to match your existing key. We confirm the options for your car before starting.

Push-to-start cars do not have a key cylinder. If the car will not start, the problem is often the smart key or its programming, which we can check.

In most cases, yes, with dedicated extraction tools. How easy it is depends on how deep the piece sits and the condition of the cylinder.

It is best not to. Pliers, tweezers and glue can push the piece deeper or damage the wafers, which can turn a simple extraction into a cylinder replacement.

Often, yes. The broken pieces usually show the cut. If your car uses a chip, the new key is programmed to the car on site.