Lost your car keys and have no spare? Here’s what to do

1. Retrace the last 30 minutes

Most lost keys are within a few hundred feet of where they were last used: the trunk lid, the roof of the car, a jacket pocket, the trail register at a trailhead, the checkout counter. Check the car itself through the windows, including the ignition and cup holders.

2. Decide: locksmith or dealer

• A mobile automotive locksmith comes to the car, opens it if needed, cuts a key to your locks and programs it. No tow.
• A dealer usually needs the car brought to them, which means a tow when you have no key, and the key may need to be ordered.
• Some newer key systems can only be handled by the dealer. Tell the locksmith your year, make and model and they’ll tell you up front.

3. Have this ready

• Photo ID and proof of ownership (registration, title or insurance card)
• The year, make and model, and the VIN if you can see it through the windshield
• The exact location: address, trailhead lot or nearest I-90 exit

4. Make sure the lost key can’t start the car

When a new key is programmed, many vehicles let the old keys be removed from the car’s memory. If your key was lost somewhere public, ask for this.

5. Get a spare made the same day

Once one working key exists, a second one is far simpler. A spare at home turns the next lost key into a short drive instead of a call-out.

Common questions