FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - AUTOMOTIVE

Locked out? Lost your keys? Need a spare key or remote? Want to know what your door keypad code is on your Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury? Key broken? Is your “SECURITY” or “THEFT” light flashing? Is your key difficult to use in some or all of your car’s locks? Has your key suddenly quit working in your ignition? Had a spare made elsewhere and it won’t start your car or work some of your locks?

That’s just a short list of questions we can help you with. We’ve got the tools, training, and inventory to replace a lost key or repair a lock on just about any car, boat, motorcycle, ATV, airplane, heavy truck, earthmover, skid-steer or snowmobile made within the last 100 years.

If it moves and needs a key, we’ve probably got a key for it.

“I’ve lost my car/motorcycle/ATV keys. What now?”

We’re happy to tell you the easiest and most economical way to obtain a replacement. Yep, it’s not always us. If you’ve got a car that doesn’t require programming, odds are you can order a replacement from the dealer for minimal cost---provided they’re open. If you lose your keys at 7 p.m. on a Friday night, we’re probably your best bet if you need to be back on the road anytime before 8 a.m. on Monday morning. If you do need a programmed key, in most cases our service is cheaper and faster than having to tow your vehicle back to the dealer for a replacement and programming.

Sorry, we can’t cut a key from your VIN. We’ll actually have to go to your vehicle and decode or disassemble one or more of your vehicle’s locks to fit a replacement.

No, we don’t have master keys for cars, nor do we have a master-remote that’ll unlock anything. If you’ve got one, we’ll gladly swap you for some oceanfront property in Arizona we’ve been hanging onto for just such an occasion.

Please note that you will need to establish ownership or at least authority to order replacement keys. At a minimum, you’ll need your state-issued photo ID at the ready once we arrive.

Did you know most roadside assistance plans (whether independent like AAA, or added onto your vehicle insurance policy) offer reimbursement for lost keys? Check with your provider for to see if you’ve got coverage. If not, we strongly recommend adding it to your policy or joining AAA.

AAA members:

We are the primary locksmith service provider for AAA here in Loudon County and surrounding counties to the south. If you are an AAA member and require our services (relating to emergency road service only—sorry, AAA does not pay to have your house rekeyed, or a deadbolt installed), please call AAA first at (865) 637-1910, or (888) AAA-HELP (888-222-4357). We’re happy to help, but you must have your membership information validated by AAA before we can render service at AAA’s expense.

Need a spare “chip key”?

We’ve got the right blanks and the diagnostic equipment to cut and program most popular vehicles (some noteable exceptions being ‘98+ Mercedes-Benz models, 96+ BMW, and 98+ Volvo models---sorry, we can’t program those keys. . . yet), and we stock over 2,000 new and refurbished OEM keyless entry remotes (keyfobs, “clickers”, etc.). Key/remote package deals are available for many models, saving you as much as 50% off what the dealer would charge!

And of course, no appointment needed! Visit our storefront, conveniently located at 117 W. Broadway Street, next door to Wilburn Hardware. Convenient curbside parking and a nice comfy couch in our air-conditioned waiting room awaits. . . Help yourself to the candy basket, get a drink from our Crystal Springs water cooler, catch up on the news (our massive 13” TV is usually tuned to CNN), and enjoy some stale magazines while we cut & program your keys, remote, etc.

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December 1, 2008 @ 8:08 pm | by B.T.