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Getting locked out of your car or dealing with a broken key is never expected. Somehow, it always happens at the worst possible moment — you’re running late for work, picking up kids from school, or stranded in a parking lot after dark. Your first instinct might be to call a tow truck, try to break in yourself, or ask the dealership for help. But in most situations, a mobile car locksmith is the fastest, least expensive, and least destructive option.
Here’s when calling a car locksmith makes sense and what they can actually do that other options can’t.
You’re Locked Out of Your Car
This is the most common reason people call a car locksmith. You left the keys in the ignition, on the seat, or in the trunk. The doors are locked and you’re standing outside.
Why a locksmith beats the alternatives:
A tow truck can get you to a dealership, but that means paying for the tow AND paying the dealer to open the car. That’s two bills for one problem. A locksmith comes to you, opens the car on-site without damage, and you drive away. One bill, one visit, done.
Breaking in yourself is almost always a bad idea. Slim jims can damage window regulators, door lock mechanisms, and airbag sensors on modern vehicles. A coat hanger through the window seal can scratch glass, tear weatherstripping, and trigger the alarm. And if someone calls the police while you’re breaking into your own car, you’ve got a whole new set of problems.
A mobile locksmith uses professional tools designed for your specific vehicle. No damage, no drama, no tow needed.
Your Key Won’t Turn in the Ignition
You’re in the car, the key is in the ignition, and it won’t turn. You try jiggling it. You try the steering wheel trick. Nothing works.
This happens for several reasons: a worn key that’s lost its precise cut, a failing ignition cylinder with worn pins, or a seized wafer that’s preventing the cylinder from rotating. In some cases, it’s as simple as a locked steering column that needs to be released.
A car locksmith can diagnose the issue on the spot. If the key is worn, they can cut a fresh one using the vehicle’s key code. If the ignition cylinder is failing, they can repair or replace it at your location. This is specialized work that most general mechanics and tow truck drivers can’t do.
Your Key Broke Off in the Lock or Ignition
Keys break. It happens more often than you’d think, especially with older keys that have been worn thin from years of use. The key snaps, half stays in your hand, and the other half is stuck inside the lock cylinder or ignition.
Do not try to extract it yourself with pliers, tweezers, or a knife. You’re more likely to push the broken piece deeper into the cylinder, making extraction harder and potentially damaging the internal pins.
A locksmith carries specialized extraction tools designed to grip and remove broken key fragments without damaging the cylinder. Once extracted, they can cut a new key and get you on your way — often in under 30 minutes.
You’ve Lost All Your Car Keys
This is the most stressful scenario — no key, no spare, and a car that’s completely inaccessible. Maybe the key fell out of your pocket somewhere, got stolen, or is just gone.
The dealership route means towing your car to the dealer, proving ownership, waiting for a new key to be ordered (often 3-5 business days), and paying dealer pricing for the key and programming.
The locksmith route means a mobile technician comes to your car’s location, creates a new key from scratch using the vehicle’s VIN and key code database, programs the transponder to your vehicle’s immobilizer, and hands you a working key. No tow, no waiting for parts, usually same-day service.
For most makes and models, a qualified car locksmith can handle all-keys-lost situations on-site. This includes cutting a new mechanical key, programming the transponder chip, and syncing the remote functions — all from their mobile unit.
Your Key Fob Stopped Working
Modern key fobs do more than lock and unlock doors. They communicate with your vehicle’s security system, and when they stop working, you can lose the ability to start your car entirely.
Common fob failures include dead batteries (the most common and easiest fix), damaged internal circuits (from drops, water, or heat), and desynchronized rolling codes (where the fob and car get out of sync).
A car locksmith can replace the fob battery on the spot, test the fob’s signal output, reprogram the fob to resync with your vehicle, or provide a replacement fob if the original is beyond repair.
You Need a Spare Key Made
You don’t have to wait for an emergency to call a car locksmith. In fact, the smartest time to call is before you have a problem.
If you’re down to one key, you’re one lost or broken key away from an all-keys-lost situation — which is significantly more expensive and inconvenient than simply having a spare made while you still have a working original.
A mobile locksmith can come to your home or office, duplicate your existing key, program the transponder, and test it — all in about 30 minutes. Having a spare key stored at home gives you a safety net that can save you hundreds of dollars and hours of frustration down the road.
After an Accident
If you’ve been in a car accident and the ignition is damaged or the key is stuck, a locksmith can handle situations that go beyond what a body shop or mechanic typically deals with. Damaged ignition cylinders, bent keys, stuck steering columns, and compromised door locks are all within a car locksmith’s skillset.
What About Roadside Assistance?
Many people have roadside assistance through their insurance or AAA, and these services can handle basic lockouts. However, there are limitations.
Roadside assistance typically covers simple lockouts only — getting the door open. If you need a key programmed, a transponder synced, a broken key extracted, or an ignition repaired, roadside assistance will usually refer you to a locksmith anyway. They also can’t make new keys.
For basic "keys are sitting on the front seat" lockouts, roadside assistance is a fine option. For anything involving key replacement, programming, or lock repair, you need a locksmith.
How to Choose a Car Locksmith in Melbourne
Not all locksmiths are created equal when it comes to automotive work. Car locksmith services require specialized training, equipment, and a constantly updated database of vehicle key codes and programming procedures. Here’s what to look for:
Mobile capability — They should come to you, not require you to tow the car to a shop.
Automotive specialization — Ask if they handle your specific make and model. Some locksmiths focus only on residential and commercial work and aren’t equipped for automotive.
Transparent pricing — Get a quote before they start. Avoid anyone who quotes suspiciously low prices over the phone.
Local reputation — Check Google reviews. A locksmith with a physical presence in your community is more accountable than a faceless call center operation.
Key-En-Lock: Car Locksmith Services Across Brevard County
Key-En-Lock is a mobile automotive locksmith serving Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa, Titusville, and all of Brevard County. We handle everything from simple lockouts to all-keys-lost programming for most makes and models.
Our mobile units carry key blanks, transponder chips, programming equipment, and extraction tools so we can resolve most car key issues on-site in a single visit.
Need a car locksmith in Melbourne? Call Key-En-Lock at (321) 224-5625 — we come to you, 24/7.
