1. Look in the right places
Coat pockets, bags, the car itself through the windows, the last store or restaurant. Call places you visited. Check whether a family member has a spare you forgot about.
2. Think about theft
If the keys were in a bag with your address, the risk is real. When a new key is programmed, the old ones can be removed from the car so they no longer start it. That's part of our all keys lost job.
3. Skip the tow until you've asked
Dealers usually need the car brought in. A mobile locksmith comes to it. Text first: year, make, model, push to start or not, and the location.
4. Have ownership papers ready
A responsible locksmith confirms the car is yours before making a key from scratch. An ID that matches the registration or title is enough.
5. What happens at the car
The blade is cut from the lock or the key code, the new key is added to the immobilizer, and the old keys are removed. On many European cars the key data is read from a module first, which adds time.
6. Get a spare while you're at it
The second key on the same visit costs less than a second trip later. See why a spare is worth it.
Written by the Keyhub Locksmith team, a mobile car locksmith in Marietta, GA. Updated October 23, 2026.