When a Ford vehicle owner in North Hollywood, CA, lost their key and had no spare, they called Sherman Oaks Lock & Safe to get them back on the road quickly. That entailed making a new key without the original, which meant popping open the door using different tools. However, picking a Ford vehicle lock required something quite different—a Tibbe lock pick and decoder for Ford doors. Fortunately, our team was equipped with the right equipment to proceed with the car key replacement. After decoding the key, it was simply a case of getting the key cut to match the existing locks. We worked with precision, skill, and care—making sure that the replacement key fit securely in the keyhole and ignition, allowing the client access to their car as soon as possible.
There is nothing quite as frustrating as realizing you have lost your keys. Whether you misplaced them or they fell under a chair cushion, it is always a pain for you to search for them. And it turns out you are not alone. Car and house keys are among the most commonly lost items in the United States. In fact, over 20 million keys are lost every year. So how do you move ahead if you misplace your car keys?
Has your car key gone missing? The good news is that several options are available to get back on the road.
When you realize your keys are missing, it is natural to want to check the immediate area around you. Retrace your steps by looking in familiar places where you might have left them or had them last. Ask friends or family who may have seen them last.
Many people forget that they leave their keys in the vehicle and do not realize they still have them until later. If you still can access your car, search it for the keys. Hopefully, you can find yours inside the car or a spare tucked in the glove compartment.
If you have the time, skill, and patience, you may be able to hot-wire your car without needing a key. Of course, that is provided you still have access to your car. If all else fails, contact the pros, who will have the necessary tools and expert knowledge to help with the process.
If you can wait several days for the replacement to arrive in the mail, you can find an online vendor selling replacement keys. Once you have found a supplier, they will need to know your car’s make, model, year, and VIN. Then they will cut and program a new key for you.
You may also want to look into getting a replacement key from a car locksmith. Once you have found a reputable locksmith, they can quickly cut a new key for you and program it to match your car’s ECU system. A locksmith has two options for opening your car’s door: making a new key or doing it without one.
Finally, if your car requires a transponder key, you may need to contact a dealer. They can provide you with a new original equipment manufactured (OEM) key, programmed to match your car’s immobilizer system, meaning it can start the car. However, going to a car dealership is usually more expensive than other sources. Additionally, if your car model is no longer in production, finding a replacement key through the dealership may be difficult.
At Sherman Oaks Lock & Safe, we provide top-of-the-line car locksmith services. Whether you need a car key replacement, rekeying of locks, broken key extraction, or car unlocking service, our team of professional locksmiths can help you out. Enjoy a 100% response rate and 30-minute response time when you choose us for all your car locksmith needs. Ask us for a free estimate today!