How an all-keys-lost job works
With no key to copy, the blade is cut from the vehicle’s key code or decoded from the lock. The new key is then programmed to the car’s immobilizer so it will actually start the engine, and on many vehicles any lost keys can be removed from the car’s memory at the same time.
The exact steps depend on the vehicle’s year, model and key system. We go over them with you on the phone so there are no surprises when we arrive.
Before you call
- Retrace your steps — Town Center shops, the park & ride, Luther Burbank or Pioneer Park.
- Check whether anyone in the household has a spare tucked away.
- Find your registration or insurance card for the VIN, and have your ID ready.
- Note exactly where the vehicle is parked so we can find it quickly.
Security after a lost key
A lost key that is later found by someone else is a risk, especially if it was on a ring with your house keys or a tag with your address. Where the vehicle supports it, we can erase the missing keys from the car so they will no longer start it.
What we need to make a key with no original
- Photo ID that matches the vehicle’s registration or title
- The vehicle’s year, make and model — and the VIN if you can see it through the windshield or have your insurance card
- Access to the vehicle where it is parked
If the car is locked and the keys are gone, we open it first, then make the new key.
Lost keys at the light rail park-and-ride?
Commuters lose keys on the train, on the bus and in the garage itself. If your car is in the Mercer Island station park-and-ride and the key is gone, tell us the level and the area you parked in. We come to the car — you do not need to arrange a tow out of the garage.
Make two while we are there
An all-keys-lost visit is the most involved kind of key job. Once the car is programmed, a second key usually takes far less time — and it means you never face this situation again.
Common questions
Can you make a key if I have no key at all?
Yes, in most cases. This is exactly what an all-keys-lost service is for. Feasibility depends on the vehicle, which we confirm when you call.
Do I have to tow the car to a dealership?
Usually not. We bring the equipment to the vehicle on Mercer Island and do the work there.
How do you know the car is mine?
We ask for photo ID and proof of ownership, such as the registration or title, before making any key. It protects you as much as it protects us.
What should I do first if I lose my only car key?
Retrace your steps and check with places you visited, but do not leave the car unattended for long if it is in a public lot. Then call with the vehicle details and its exact location.
Can someone use my lost key to take my car?
If the key is found with your address or registration nearby, it is a risk. On many vehicles we can erase lost keys from the car’s memory so they no longer start it.
Do I need the title, or is registration enough?
Current registration with matching photo ID is usually enough. If the registration is locked inside the car, we can open the car first and check it there.