Lost Your Only Car Key? Here’s How You Get a New One On-Site

Most people don’t think about their car key until the only one is gone. It fell out of a pocket on a hike, got left in a shopping cart, or went missing with a bag. With no spare, the car is stuck where it is.

For a long time the answer was a tow to the dealer and a wait while a key was ordered. That’s still one option. But for most cars, a mobile car locksmith can make a brand-new key right where the car is parked, from scratch, with no original to copy.

Step 1: Do a Proper Search First

Before paying for a new key, give it one more honest look:

• Retrace your last hour. Call the store, restaurant or gym you were just at and ask if anyone turned in keys.
• Check the car from the outside. Keys are often on the seat or in the ignition. If you can see them, it’s a lockout, which is a smaller job.
• Ask whoever you were with to check their bags and jackets.

If the key is really gone, the next steps are easy.

Step 2: Get These Ready

When you call, have this information:

• Year, make and model of the car. This tells us what kind of key it uses.
• Where the car is parked. Address, cross streets or the name of the lot.
• Your photo ID and the registration or title. We confirm the car is yours before making a key. It protects you, and every honest locksmith should ask for it.

You get the price on the phone before we drive out.

What Kind of Key Does Your Car Use?

This is the biggest thing that decides the work and the price:

• Metal key with no chip: older cars. Cut only, no programming.
• Transponder (chip) key: most cars from the last twenty-plus years. The blade starts the lock turning, and a chip inside tells the car the key belongs to it. It has to be cut and programmed.
• Remote head key or flip key: a chip key with lock buttons built in.
• Smart key or proximity fob: push-to-start cars. No blade needed to start the car, but the fob still has to be programmed to it.

Not sure which one you have? Tell us the year, make and model and we’ll know.

How a New Key Is Made at Your Car

1. We get the key’s cut. Without an original, we get the cut from the car’s lock or from the key code, then cut the blade on the key machine in the van. That includes laser-cut and high-security blades; see key cutting.
2. We program it. We connect our programming tool to the car and add the new key, so the car accepts it. See car key programming.
3. We remove the lost key. Where the car allows it, we erase the lost key from the car’s memory, so it won’t start the car if someone finds it.
4. We test everything: start, lock, unlock and every remote button.

Most replacements are done in one visit at the car. A few newer models still need a part only the dealer sells, and we’ll tell you on the phone if yours is one of them.

Locksmith or Dealer?

The dealer can make a key too, but usually the car has to be brought to them, which can mean a tow, and the key may have to be ordered in. A mobile locksmith brings the equipment to the car. For most people with a lost key, that’s the difference between getting home tonight and losing a day or two.

What It Costs

The price depends on the key type, the car’s security system and where the car is. A basic chip key costs less than a push-to-start smart key. See typical price ranges on our pricing page, or call with your car details for an exact price. New keys and fobs we supply carry the manufacturer’s warranty, and our labor has a 60-day workmanship warranty.

Don’t Let It Happen Twice

Once you have a working key again, get a spare made. Making a second key while you have one that works is quicker and cheaper than starting from nothing. See car key duplication.

Lost Car Key FAQs

Related: car key replacement, car key programming and spare car keys.