Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We quote a price range for every service before dispatching. When the technician arrives and confirms the vehicle and situation match what was described on the phone, the invoice reflects the quoted range. We do not engage in bait-and-switch pricing.

We do not charge a separate 'trip fee' on top of the service fee. The quoted price for the service is all-inclusive for standard calls within our primary coverage area. For calls at the outer limits of our range, we will let you know if any travel surcharge applies before dispatching.

Yes. We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, and cash. We do not accept checks. Payment is collected at the time of service after the work is completed and verified.

Yes. Key programming and lockout services are warrantied for 30 days. If a key we programmed fails due to a programming error on our part within 30 days, we return and resolve it at no charge. Key blades are warrantied against cutting errors. Manufacturer defects in replacement parts are handled through the part supplier.

In most cases no -- dealer key replacement typically costs 30 to 50 percent more than professional mobile locksmith service for the same result, and adds tow truck cost (if the vehicle has no working key) plus dealer appointment wait time that can be days. Mobile locksmith service provides the same OBD-II programming result at your vehicle's location.

Yes. Our minimum service charge for a dispatched call is our standard lockout fee, which applies even if the job is simpler than expected once we arrive. We quote this minimum when you call so there are no surprises.

It depends on your policy. Roadside assistance riders (available for $5 to $15/year from most insurers) typically cover lockout service. Key replacement coverage riders cover lost or damaged keys. Standard auto insurance (liability, collision, comprehensive) does not cover lockout or key service without these add-ons. Check your declarations page for 'Roadside Assistance' or 'Emergency Road Service' line items.

Transponder programming is the process of synchronizing the electronic chip inside your key with your vehicle's immobilizer system. Without this synchronization, the key can physically turn the ignition but the engine will not start -- the immobilizer blocks it. Programming is required for all chip keys and smart keys manufactured since approximately 1995.

Not necessarily. If you have at least one working original key, programming a spare is faster and simpler. If all keys are lost, we can still produce a working key through emergency access programming and VIN-based code cutting -- it takes longer and costs more, but it is fully possible without any original keys.

All-keys-lost programming is the process of originating a new key set from scratch when no working keys remain. It requires: accessing the vehicle's key code from the VIN, cutting a new key blade, and programming the transponder using emergency access protocols that bypass the standard requirement for a working key during enrollment. This process takes 45 to 120 minutes depending on vehicle complexity.

Sometimes, but not always. Aftermarket keys from online marketplaces vary enormously in quality and compatibility. Some are genuine quality replacements; others have chips that are incompatible with your vehicle's immobilizer. If you have purchased a key online and want us to program it, call us with the key type and your vehicle details and we will advise on compatibility before scheduling.

It varies by manufacturer and model. Most domestic vehicles can hold 8 to 16 programmed keys. Some European vehicles have lower limits (as few as 4 or 5 registered keys). Some systems automatically delete the oldest key when the maximum is reached. We check the key count before programming and advise you if the limit is a concern.

Yes, on most modern vehicles. Key deletion (erasing a specific transponder from the approved list) is possible through OBD-II programming on most platforms. This is useful when a key is lost or stolen, or when an employee has left and key return cannot be confirmed. Not all vehicles support individual key deletion -- some require erasing all keys and re-enrolling the ones you want to keep.

No. We perform all key programming services on-site at your vehicle's location in a single visit. The typical service call from arrival to test-and-verify is 30 to 90 minutes. We do not take vehicles to a shop.

Call us with your year, make, and model and we will confirm. We carry Autel IM608, Lonsdor K518, and AVDI equipment covering virtually all domestic brands and most import brands. For unusual or very new vehicles, we confirm capability before dispatching.

No. We use professional long-reach tools and air wedge systems designed for non-destructive vehicle entry. These are the same tools used by dealer service departments and roadside assistance providers. DIY attempts with improvised tools (coat hangers, screwdrivers) are far more likely to damage weatherstripping, door frames, or electronic components.

2 to 5 minutes for most standard passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs. Some vehicles with reinforced door seals, European door designs, or anti-intrusion reinforcement may take up to 15 minutes. We handle the job professionally regardless -- faster is not better if it means damage.

Yes. A key in the ignition with the doors locked is one of the most common lockout scenarios. We open the vehicle using external entry methods -- the key position inside the vehicle does not affect the entry process.

We handle lockouts on RV cabs, light-to-medium commercial vehicles, and most cargo vans. Very large commercial vehicles (Class 6+), semi-truck cabs, and specialty equipment may require different handling -- call us with the vehicle type and we will confirm before dispatching.

Call 911 immediately. Do not wait for a locksmith. Police and fire departments can respond faster and are authorized to break a window if necessary. In Georgia summer heat, interior vehicle temperature becomes dangerous within 10 minutes. This is always a 911 situation first.

This is common. Your insurance card on your phone's insurance app is typically acceptable as ownership documentation when the registration is locked inside. A photo of the registration on your phone also works. Call us and describe your documentation situation and we will advise on what will work before we arrive.

In the majority of cases, yes. Replace the battery first -- it is a CR2032 for most vehicles, available at any pharmacy or grocery store for under $2. Open the fob housing (usually by prying at the seam or using the emergency key slot as a lever), swap the battery with the positive side up, and test. If a fresh battery does not resolve the issue, the fob itself may have failed.

Reduced range before complete failure is the classic sign of a dying battery. Replace the battery with a name-brand battery (not a generic) and test. If range is still reduced with a fresh battery, the fob's transmitter circuit may be degraded -- a common result of heat, moisture, or physical shock. At that point, fob replacement is the solution.

Possibly. Immediately remove the battery to stop current flow. Open the housing and let the circuit board air-dry completely -- 48 to 72 hours minimum. Install a fresh battery and test. If it does not work after thorough drying, the circuit board has been damaged and the fob needs replacement. Fresh water and chlorinated pool water cause different levels of damage; salt water is the most destructive.

Often yes, with caveats. Quality aftermarket fobs for common domestic vehicles work well and are significantly less expensive than OEM parts. For European vehicles and some Japanese vehicles, aftermarket quality varies enormously and some aftermarket fobs are not compatible with the vehicle's security protocol. We recommend OEM or Tier-1 supplier fobs for European vehicles.

Open the housing and read the number stamped on the battery face. It will be CR2032, CR2025, CR2016, or occasionally CR1620 or CR2450. The number is always printed clearly. Buy the same number -- do not substitute a thinner or thicker disc battery even if it fits the space.

First, ensure the car is fully in Park (for automatics) -- many ignitions will not release the key unless the shifter is in Park. If in Park and the key will not come out, try gently wiggling the steering wheel while pulling the key. If it still will not release, the ignition cylinder or the shift-lock mechanism may have a fault. Do not force the key -- call us for ignition service.

The most common cause is the steering wheel anti-theft lock binding the ignition cylinder. To release it: apply light pressure on the key in the turn direction while simultaneously rocking the steering wheel left and right. When the binding releases, the key will turn freely. If this does not work after 30 seconds, the cylinder may be worn or there may be debris in the keyway.

Yes. Ignition cylinder replacement is a mobile service. We bring a replacement cylinder cut to your key code (so your existing keys continue to work), remove the old cylinder, and install and test the replacement. Most vehicles take 1 to 2 hours.

Not necessarily. We cut the replacement cylinder to your existing key code, so your current key continues to work. If your current key is also worn, we recommend cutting a new key from code at the same time -- a new key with a new cylinder restores full function and the combination lasts longer than either element alone.

Yes. Broken key extraction is a specialized service. We use professional extraction tools to remove the broken fragment without drilling or destroying the cylinder. In most cases, extraction is non-destructive and the cylinder can continue to be used normally after the fragment is removed and a new key is cut.

Yes. All Ford transponder and smart key systems including PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) versions 1 through current, Ford Intelligent Access (proximity), and all Ford/Lincoln/Mercury chip key variants. We handle Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, Mustang, Explorer, Escape, Expedition, Edge, and all other Ford models.

Yes. All GM transponder and smart key systems. This includes the older VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System) used in vehicles from the late 1980s through early 2000s, as well as the current Gen-5 truck proximity systems in Silverado, Sierra, Suburban, and Tahoe. We service all Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, and Oldsmobile vehicles.

Yes. All Toyota and Lexus transponder and Smart Key systems including the current Toyota Smart Key (TPMS-5) and Lexus Smart Access. Toyota's Smart Key system is one of the more complex to originate when all keys are lost -- it requires specific Lonsdor or Toyota-compatible programming and server access. We handle all Toyota and Lexus models.

Yes, with appropriate tools. European vehicles typically require AVDI (Abrites) or similar European-specialist equipment rather than generic OBD-II programmers. We carry AVDI for BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche. These jobs take longer and cost more than domestic vehicles due to the complexity of the programming process, but they are within our capability.

Yes. Older vehicles (pre-1995, and some vehicles through the early 2000s) use mechanical keys without transponder chips. These require only key cutting from the code -- no programming. We carry the code database and cutting equipment for these vehicles as well.

Yes. This is one of the more common service requests. We verify ownership (bill of sale, title, or registration in your name), look up the key code from the VIN, cut the blade, program the transponder, and deliver a fully working key. Bring ownership documentation for the vehicle and we handle the rest.

25 to 40 minutes for most Savannah locations under normal traffic conditions. For peak traffic hours on I-16, I-95, and the downtown area, response can extend to 45 to 60 minutes. We always provide an honest ETA when you call.

Yes. We respond to rural locations throughout South Georgia -- farm driveways, unpaved county roads, timber operation sites, boat ramps, and anywhere else a vehicle can be parked. We ask that you provide the best possible location description (GPS coordinates, a named road, or a distance and direction from the nearest town).

Yes. We operate 24 hours, 7 days a week, including all holidays. Key emergencies do not respect schedules, and we do not close.

This is rare, but when it occurs we provide a clear explanation of why on-site resolution was not possible and what the next steps are. We do not charge for work that did not produce the promised result. If we dispatch and genuinely cannot solve your specific problem, we do not invoice for the failed attempt.

Yes. We are a licensed Georgia automotive locksmith operation. Our technicians are background-checked. We carry commercial general liability and commercial auto insurance. We are a registered Georgia business entity. We welcome verification -- ask for our license information and we will provide it.

Yes. We respond to hotel parking lots, rental car facility lots, airport parking areas, and any other location where a vehicle is parked. For airport calls, give us the specific parking area or lot number when you call.