Why modern keys take more than cutting
Most cars built since the late 1990s have an immobilizer. A chip in the key (a transponder) talks to the car, and the engine won't run unless the car recognizes that chip. So a new key has to be cut to fit the lock and also programmed to the car.
How a locksmith makes a key with no original
- Verify ownership: ID plus title, registration or insurance.
- Get the key cuts, either from the vehicle's key code or by decoding the door lock or ignition.
- Cut the new key on a key machine in the van.
- Program the chip or fob to the car with a diagnostic programmer.
- Test that the key opens the doors, starts the engine and the remote buttons work.
Erase the lost keys
When new keys are programmed, the lost ones can usually be removed from the car's memory. That way, whoever finds your old key can't start the car.
Locksmith or dealership?
A dealer can make a key too, but the car usually has to be at the dealership, which can mean a tow and a wait for parts. A mobile locksmith comes to the car. Some newer models or specific key systems still need the dealer; a good locksmith will tell you that on the phone before sending anyone.
Have this ready when you call
- Year, make and model (and the VIN if you have it).
- Where the car is parked.
- What kind of key you had: regular key, flip key, remote head key or push-to-start fob.
- Your ID and proof of ownership.
Get a spare while you're at it
Programming a second key at the same visit costs far less than going through a lost-all-keys situation again. It's the most common thing customers wish they'd done sooner.
Need a hand?
Doctor Locksmith is a mobile locksmith serving all of Dallas–Fort Worth. Call (469) 444-9993, 24/7, and we'll quote the price before we come out.
