How a replacement key gets made
1. Tell me your vehicle. Your VIN tells me exactly which key your car takes, so there is no guessing and no ordering the wrong part.
2. I come to you. The key is cut and programmed right where the car is parked. Most keys are cut and programmed in one visit.
3. Drive off, backed by warranty. If something is not right after I leave, it gets made right.
The parts I use
Every key I cut and every fob I program comes from ILCO and JMA, names professional locksmiths have relied on for decades. I use them because they hold up: the chip reads correctly and the key keeps working.
Transponder key or smart key?
A transponder key has a chip inside it, and you still turn it in the ignition. A smart key, the push-to-start kind, only needs to be nearby. They are programmed differently and priced differently, which is why the right type matters for an accurate quote.
Proof of ownership
Programming a key grants access to start and drive a vehicle, so I ask for your registration and ID before cutting or programming a key, every time. It is the check that keeps this service from being used by someone who does not own the car.
Prefer to buy the key first?
You can find your key online and have it shipped, or mail it in for programming. If you want it done on-site, request a quote and I will confirm the right key for your VIN first.
Common questions
Can you come to me to make a car key?
Yes. AutoKey Rescue is a mobile locksmith, so the key is cut and programmed at your vehicle. Most jobs are done in one visit.
How do you know which key my car needs?
I work from your VIN to identify the correct key type, so the right part is used the first time.
What is the difference between a transponder key and a smart key?
A transponder key has a chip inside but is turned in the ignition. A smart key, used with push-to-start, only needs to be nearby. They are programmed and priced differently.
Do you need proof that I own the car?
Yes. I ask for your registration and ID before cutting or programming any key.