Automotive locksmith · mobile
Automotive locksmith car keys, fobs and lockouts
Lost car key, a fob that stopped working, a key that will not turn in the ignition. Some of these can be solved by a mobile auto locksmith without a tow to the dealer, depending on the vehicle. Call with the year, make and model.
- 24/7Every day, including holidays
- 7+ yearsOperating locally
- Own techniciansLocksmiths who work for Mr Locksmith
- InsuredActive liability insurance
- English & EspañolAsk for either on the phone
Car key and vehicle lock services
What an automotive locksmith actually does
Almost every car on the road since the late 1990s has an immobilizer: a chip in the key (a transponder) that the car must recognize before the engine will run. Cutting the metal blade is only half of car key replacement. The other half is car key programming — registering the new transponder or smart key with the vehicle's immobilizer using diagnostic equipment through the OBD port.
That is why the year matters as much as the make and model. Two vehicles with the same name can use different key types, different chips and different programming procedures. Some are routine with the right equipment. Some take longer because the car enforces a security waiting period. A few — certain European models in particular — can be restricted to the dealer for some years. Ask on the phone which case your vehicle is in before anyone is sent.
Locksmith or dealer?
A dealer can always make a key for the vehicles it sells, but usually needs the car on its lot — which, with no working key, means a tow — and the key may have to be ordered. Mobile auto locksmiths with the right equipment can cut and program keys for many common vehicles where they are parked. Whether that applies to yours depends on the vehicle; when a dealer is the better route, that is worth knowing before anyone is sent.
What to have ready when you call
- Year, make and model — and the trim level if you know it
- The VIN, visible through the windshield on the driver's side or on the registration
- Whether you have any working key, a spare, or no key at all
- Where the vehicle is: driveway, street, parking garage level, commuter lot
- Proof of ownership for when the technician arrives: photo ID plus registration or title
Car keys by make
Key types, immobilizer systems and all-keys-lost notes for each make. Call with the year and model to confirm what can be done for your vehicle.
Service Areas
Mobile service from Buffalo Grove
Mr Locksmith is based in Buffalo Grove and works within roughly 20 miles across Cook and Lake counties. There is no storefront — the technician comes to you.
How a call works
- Calls are answered 24/7
- Ask about the price on the phone
- Car, home and business work from the same mobile unit
- Insured — active liability coverage
Common questions
Can you make a car key without the original?
On many vehicles, yes: the key is cut from the vehicle's key code or by decoding a lock, then programmed to the immobilizer. Call with the year, make and model to ask about your car.
Is a locksmith cheaper than the dealer for car keys?
Often, especially once a tow is avoided, but it depends on the vehicle. Ask for a price on the phone and compare before deciding.
Do you program key fobs bought online?
Sometimes. Many aftermarket fobs online are the wrong frequency or chip for the vehicle, or are used and locked to another car. Call with the part number before you buy, or ask for a supplied fob instead.
Can you replace a key for any car?
No locksmith can honestly say yes to every vehicle. Some later European models and a few security-restricted systems may need the dealer. Call with the year, make, model and VIN and ask whether Mr Locksmith can do yours.
Locked out or need a lock fixed? Call (312) 478-6125.
We answer 24 hours a day, every day. Tell us where you are and what happened, and ask about the price before a technician is sent.