The "All Keys Lost" Situation: Why Dealers Make You Tow (And We Don't)

It is the sinking feeling every driver dreads. You check your pockets. You check your purse. You check the kitchen counter.

Gone.

And then you realize: That was the only key you had.

This is what we in the industry call an "All Keys Lost" (AKL) situation. It is different from just needing a spare copy because now we have no original key to copy from.

When this happens, you have two choices: The Dealer or a Mobile Locksmith. Here is why the dealer option is almost always the wrong move.

The Dealer's "Tow-First" Policy

If you call a Toyota or Ford dealer in Houston and say, "I lost all my keys," their first question will be: "When can you tow it here?"

Dealers generally do not have mobile service vans. Their key cutting machines are bolted to a workbench in their service bay.

The Dealer Process:

1. Call a tow truck ($100 - $150).
2. Wait for the tow truck.
3. Tow the car to the dealership.
4. Wait for an appointment (could be 1-3 days).
5. Pay premium dealer pricing for the key.

Total Time: 24 - 72 hours. Total Cost: $$$$ (Key + Tow + Labor).

The Mobile Locksmith Advantage

I built my business, Houston Key Rescue, specifically for this problem. My van is a workshop on wheels. I have the same key cutting machines and programming computers the dealer has, but mine are powered by a generator in the back of my van.

The Locksmith Process:

1. You call me.
2. I drive to your location (home, work, or the grocery store parking lot).
3. I use specialized tools to "pick" your door lock (damage-free) to gain entry.
4. I use the lock cylinder code or your VIN to cut a fresh blade.
5. I plug into your car's OBD port and program the chip.

Total Time: 1 - 2 hours (usually same-day). Total Cost: $$ (Usually 30-50% less than the dealer + tow combo).

"But How Do You Cut a Key Without a Copy?"

This is the most common question I get. "If you don't have a key to copy, how do you know the shape?"

There are two ways:

1. VIN to Key Code: For many cars, I can purchase a "Key Code" from a secure database using your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). This code tells my automatic cutter exactly how to cut the key to factory specs.
2. Lishi Picking: For other cars, I use a tool called a Lishi pick. It allows me to read the depth of each wafer inside your door lock manually. It’s like picking a lock and decoding it at the same time. It’s a skill that takes years to master, but it saves you from having to replace your locks.

When MUST You Go to the Dealer?

I'll be honest—there are a few rare cars (mostly European high-end models like newer Mercedes, BMW, or Volvo) where the dealer has proprietary "lockdown" software that locks locksmiths out.

But for 95% of cars on the road—Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai—I can do exactly what the dealer does, right in your driveway.

Don't Panic. Call Us.

If you are staring at a locked car with no keys, don't call a tow truck. Call me.

I'll get you back in, cut you a new key, and have you driving away in under an hour.

Houston Key Rescue: +1(281-845-4011)