Automotive Locksmith

Serving Greater Indianapolis Area

Automotive Locksmith

Have you ever had an experience like this: You’re getting out of your car, and you go to close the door. Just as your hand releases the door to let it swing closed, you realize something… The keys are sitting in the ignition. Maybe it wasn’t such a close call. Perhaps you were at your destination, getting your things together, or walking around running an errand, and it hit you, “Where are my car keys?” Then, you remember that you never took them with you. A car lockout can send almost anyone into a panic, and yet, at Locksmith Pro, we have automotive locksmith services that answer any possible need.

Of course, locking the keys in the car is not the only time you might need a locksmith for your vehicle, and our locksmith services are also equipped to handle more challenging issues. Let’s examine some of the primary reasons our loyal customers have contacted us for mobile locksmith services.

We come to provide mobile locksmith service for a car lockout when someone leaves the keys in a building that will not be unlocked for a lengthy period (yes, Friday night at the office!). There are many ways this situation can play out, but with just a quick call, our car locksmith can be on the way to help you get back into your car and back on the road.

The Car Lockout

Yes, this is the most common reason someone requires a locksmith for their car, and it happens for more reasons than you might think. We receive calls for car lockout assistance because the keys are still in the car. We also receive calls because someone cannot find their keys and needs to get somewhere quickly, or they are stuck in a location because the keys have gone missing.

The Broken Key

Here’s one of those issues that seems to drive most vehicle owners into an immediate panic. It makes sense, you slip the key into the door lock or the ignition, and “snap”, it breaks off in your hand. Now, you wonder or even shout out loud, What can I do? The good news is that our emergency locksmith services have the answers needed. It is often a matter of key extraction, but you’ll also need a new key in most cases.

A broken key can mean you need new keys, a rekey, a lock repair or replacement, or even an ignition repair. These are problems that can cause anyone to panic, but our car locksmith is the go-to solution for such challenging dilemmas.

Now, we have just mentioned two other issues that may arise in the context of automotive locksmith services – rekeying scenarios and changing locks.

That may surprise many since most car owners think that new lock installation or the option to rekey locks is limited to buildings. That is not the case, and we’d like to take a closer look at both issues to help you see the value in our 24-hour locksmith services.

When to Rekey Locks on the Car

Let’s say you got in touch with our car locksmith because you need someone to unlock a car door. You have lost your keys again, and the friends who were asked to hold spares are not around. Should you use a locksmith to unlock the car door? Perhaps it’s a good idea to regain control and have the locks rekeyed. We also offer this service when someone has purchased a vehicle from a private seller. After all, how do you know that something fishy won’t occur? Contacting our car locksmith to rekey the locks is the simplest way to secure the vehicle without a doubt.

Are there other scenarios in which you might want to rekey locks on a car? Absolutely; our car locksmith has rekeyed locks when a key has snapped off, and the locks were deemed too old or outdated. Our car locksmith has been asked to rekey locks because they were damaged during a break-in or attempted break-in. We’ve had car owners call our 24-hour locksmith service to have us rekey locks because they have had their possessions stolen, and their clearly labeled home and car keys were among them. (This is often a time when our emergency locksmith services can also help to secure the home with a house re-key and even new lock installation services).

Because it is often more affordable to rekey locks than to replace them, many vehicle owners will immediately want to know about this option. However, it may not always be the ideal answer for every issue. Let’s consider those instances when replacing the locks is a more suitable solution.

Before we delve too deeply into this issue, let’s take a moment to discuss transponders. Many vehicles manufactured after 1995 feature an anti-theft system. In its simplest form, it uses a transponder chip that can immobilize the engine if it appears that the car has been “hotwired”. Inserting the functional key into the ignition turns off the system and allows the car to run normally. When our locksmith for cars offers a rekey for locks or a new car lock installation, it runs the risk of interacting poorly with the system.

What is the solution? You can keep a key for the door and a separate (original) key for the ignition, or you can have a new ignition lock cylinder (the much smarter option) installed as part of the locksmith for cars service.

When to Change Car Locks

As you can see from that explanation, car locksmith services are never a DIY activity. You need to have access to a reliable and skilled locksmith provider. Our entire team is dedicated to becoming your “go-to” resource for such issues, as well as any other general or emergency locksmith needs.

When our locksmith for cars determines that the lock in question is too damaged or cannot be repaired through any other approach, they will recommend a replacement. Although our car lockout service is the primary reason for calling a mobile locksmith, we also receive numerous calls because a key is stuck in the door lock.

Our locksmith for cars will usually have to pop a lock rather than any door lock repair, and then a new lock installation is done. This, as you know, means rekeying the other lock and updating the ignition if the car was made after 1995. In essence, this means dealing with the different cylinders.

The door lock cylinder is standard even on cars that do not use keys to start their ignition. It is a job easily done by our team of experts. As already stated, we can provide you with a new set of keys for the doors and trunk, while retaining the original key for the ignition.

Ignition Problem

What if the problem is with the ignition? The same applies. There are several reasons why you might need emergency locksmith services for your car’s ignition. The broken key or the bent and worn key that fails to turn the switch are two of the most common. Though we are more than happy to discuss a repair, if possible, a replacement may be needed.
How can you determine what you need before calling our locksmith for cars? It can be very challenging to pinpoint the issue if the key fits into any of the car’s locks. However, if the point of origin for a sticky lock or ignition (or both) appears to begin with the key, it’s time to seek out our locksmith services. We can come to your home or office, or provide emergency locksmith services through our mobile locksmith options.
However, we encourage all customers to inspect the performance and condition of their vehicle’s locks and keys as part of their ongoing maintenance and repair. It is easy enough to know if the battery in a car’s remote opener or locks is failing, but do you notice right away if the keys are behaving as they have always done? This is why we suggest running through a quick maintenance check each time you are about to bring the vehicle in for an oil change or service. What is this maintenance? Just take a few moments to:

Think of Car Locks and Keys as Maintenance

Our goal at Locksmith Pro is to become your “go-to” destination for any locksmith services. Whether it’s for car lockout service or more involved mobile locksmith needs, such as rekeying locks, or for residential locksmith services, we have a dedicated and skilled team. We aim to establish a long-term working relationship with all customers. Although we will work with you to help you avoid issues, that is not always possible.
If any of these questions result in an answer that indicates potential trouble, it is time to contact us. You don’t have to wait until you need emergency locksmith services, and you don’t have to come to us. Our mobile locksmith is also a skilled automotive locksmith and can visit your home or office directly to ensure that your keys and locks are functioning correctly. You won’t need to do this every time you service your vehicle, only when you realize that there could be an issue that leads to a significant headache.

• Use the key on all exterior locks (including the trunk). How does it perform in each of them? Does it slide in easily and unlock without any pulling or hesitation?
• Use the key in the ignition. Does it ever seem to stick or make it difficult to turn the ignition on?
• Do you have any worries about others using copies of your keys? For example, in the past few months, have you loaned the car or given copies to someone you don’t feel comfortable having access?
• Have there been any damages done to the vehicle lately? Did someone try to open the car without the key (yourself included) and potentially harm the locks?

The Purpose of an Automotive Locksmith

Please note that during any locksmith service, our mobile locksmith is not attempting to make any sales. Instead, we aim to prevent anything unexpected from happening. Whether that means locking yourself out of your car, in the middle of nowhere and the middle of the night, or standing in a downpour with a snapped key in your hand, our goal is to ensure that your car keys and locks (and ignition) do the jobs you expect. Our focus is getting you on the road and getting the car running safely.

And while we’re talking about cars and security, let’s take a moment to think about the space you keep your car in – the garage. Millions of homeowners are unaware that the door connecting their home to their garage is the primary point of entry for home invaders. While you’re taking the time to secure your car and get proactive about locksmiths for vehicles, also consider having our mobile locksmith inspect the strength of this vulnerable spot in your home. In moments, the door can have a lock installation or deadbolt installation, and both your home and vehicle can be in prime shape.

At Locksmith Pro, we always encourage our customers to enter our emergency locksmith services number on their phone’s speed dial. This ensures they can contact us at any time or anywhere. Whether it’s for a car lockout, an emergency locksmith issue, or any other vehicle-related concern, our car locksmith can arrive quickly and get you back on the road right away.