What is the best course of action in case my child gets locked in the car, accidently?

Call 911 immediately and they will put you through to the fire department who will in turn dispatch LostCarKey anywhere in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, or 35 miles from Manhattan.

What can I do in case key is jammed in the ignition and refuse to turn?

Do not try to force ignition because it may break the key and complicate the matters. You can call your local locksmith company and ask for a free estimate for repairing or changing the ignition cylinder. LostCarKey keep a ready stock of ignition cylinders of those cars which are known for causing such problems frequently and can repair / replace them at a short notice.

How much will it cost me to get a new car key if I lose it?

Pricing depends on a lot of things such as year, make, model or whether the car locks have been changed or re-keyed. For a transponder equipped vehicle, the cost may range anywhere.

For a high security key as in case of Lexus or Volkswagen depending on year, make and model. For remote key / key combos as well as Inteli-key (push button start) equipped vehicles, estimate can be given depending on the individual vehicle. Prices are subject to change depending on the problem so please feel free to contact us for an accurate estimation for your vehicle.

Why are some car keys so expensive to make?

Vehicle security is constantly improving. We now have cars that are equipped with transponders, a kind of anti-theft device. So many car companies have done away with conventional key and lock system altogether and use an electronic key fob. Locksmith companies have to invest in equipment and training to be able to generate working keys / fobs for these vehicles. Secondly, key blanks and fobs are far more costly than ordinary metal key blank.

What is a transponder key and how does it operate?

Transponder key is anti-theft mechanism where a tiny chip is embedded in the head of your key. This chip is so small that it's practically invisible. But it receives signal from your vehicle's computer when you start your car. The engine of your car responds only when the digital signature from the computer & key match.

When a transponder key is lost, manufacturers use a number of ways to disable transponder equipped vehicles. One way of doing it is to disable starter circuit & fuel pump. We at LostCarKey specialise in transponder keys and can provide help at a short notice.

Is it necessary to go to the dealer to get new car keys made for my car?

Not at all. Fact of the matter is that with right experience, training, and equipment any locksmith can make key for almost any car. Dealers propagate this fallacy because they want their customers to go through them. If your vehicle happens to be transponder-equipped then towing your vehicle to the dealer will not only add to the expense but also waste a lot of time. A licensed locksmith can come and generate a new key right where you are, saving both time and money.

Do I need to worry if I have my car key made from a locksmith? Are they Reliable?

Locksmiths are not unreliable but unfortunately, the locksmith industry has many unscrupulous people in their ranks that pretend to be locksmiths but are actually engaged in dubious activities.