What do I do if…?

If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. That includes a child or pet locked in a car, or a break-in where someone may still be inside.

For everything else, find your situation below. If it isn’t here, call us at 209-273-8013 any time and we’ll tell you what we’d do.

Car, truck or RV

…I’m locked out of my car, truck or RV

1. Get somewhere safe. If you’re by a busy road, move away from the traffic first.
2. Check every door and the trunk or hatch. One is sometimes still unlocked.
3. Try your car’s app, if it has one. Many newer cars can unlock from your phone.
4. Call us with your location. We come to you and open cars, trucks and RVs without damage.

Don’t use a coat hanger or a wedge. They scratch paint, tear seals and can damage the wiring and airbags inside the door.

…a child or pet is locked in the car

Call 911 right away. A closed car heats up fast, even on a mild day, and emergency services will get there quickest. Then call us at 209-273-8013, and stay by the car where they can see you.

…my key fob went through the wash

1. Take the battery out right away. Most fobs open with a coin or a small screwdriver in the seam.
2. Don’t press the buttons while it’s wet.
3. Let it dry for a day or two somewhere warm and dry with the case open. Don’t use an oven, a microwave or a hot hair dryer.
4. Put in a new battery. The type is printed on the old one (often CR2032).

Most fobs have a metal key blade tucked inside, so you can still open the door while it dries. If the fob still doesn’t work, we can repair it, or replace it and program a new one to your car.

…my key won’t turn in the ignition

1. Wiggle the steering wheel gently left and right while you turn the key. A locked steering wheel is the most common cause.
2. Make sure it’s in Park (or Neutral, if that’s what your car needs).
3. Try the spare key. If the spare works, your key is worn.

Don’t force it or spray oil into the ignition. If it still won’t turn, call us. We work on ignitions and cut new keys on the spot.

…I’ve lost every key to my car

You don’t need a tow to the dealer. We can make a new key from scratch and program it where your car is parked. It helps to have your registration and ID handy, and the VIN if you can find it (it’s on the registration and on the dashboard by the windshield).

Doors and locks

…I’m locked out of my home or business

Call us, then check other doors and windows, but only if it’s safe, and never force anything. Ask whether a neighbor, family member or coworker has a spare. Our emergency lockout page has more tips for while you wait.

…my lock isn’t working

Sticking or hard to turn:

• Try the spare key. If it turns easily, your everyday key is worn, and we can cut a new one.
• Push or pull the door while you turn the key. If that helps, the door has moved and the bolt is rubbing the strike plate. That’s a quick adjustment.
• Use a dry lock lubricant, such as graphite or a PTFE (Teflon) spray made for locks.

Frozen: warm the key in your hand before you put it in, or use a lock de-icer. Don’t pour hot water on it. It refreezes, often worse.

Don’t use WD-40 or oil. They collect dust and grime and gum the lock up over time. And don’t force the key: that’s how keys snap. If it still sticks, call us to repair or replace the lock before it fails.

…my key broke off in the lock

1. Stop using the lock, and don’t push the other half in to turn it.
2. If a piece sticks out, you can try to pull it straight out with needle-nose pliers. Don’t dig at it.
3. Don’t use glue. It ends up inside the lock.
4. Keep both pieces and call us. We’ll get the broken piece out and cut you a new key.

…my door handle broke

On a home or business: if the door still latches and the deadbolt works, lock it with the deadbolt until it’s fixed. If it’s an outside door that won’t latch or lock, don’t leave it overnight. Call us, day or night. If you can see a brand name on the handle (Schlage, Kwikset and so on), tell us when you call.

On a car: use another door or open it from the inside, and stop pulling on the broken handle. We repair and replace car door handles too.

Keys in the wrong hands

…I lost my keys, or they were stolen

If your keys had your address on them, or were stolen with your wallet or bag, treat it as urgent. Rekeying changes the inside of your locks, so the old keys stop working while you keep the same hardware. It usually costs less than new locks, and we can do it the same day.

…I just moved in

Rekey before you unpack. Past owners, tenants, contractors and real estate agents may all still have keys, and there’s no way to know how many copies are out there.

…an ex, roommate, tenant or former employee still has a key

Asking for it back doesn’t help if they made copies. Rekeying makes every old key useless. For a business or rental where people come and go, ask us about a master key system, so one rekey doesn’t mean new keys for everyone.

Break-ins

…my home or business was broken into

1. If anyone might still be inside, leave and call 911.
2. Call the police and get a report number for your insurance.
3. Don’t touch or clean up until the police are done. Take photos of the damage.
4. Call us, day or night. We’ll rekey or replace the damaged locks so you can lock up that same night. If you’re not sure who has keys, now is a good time to rekey every lock.

Afterwards, we can do a security check-up: a walk-through of your doors and locks, with straight advice on what to upgrade.

Safes and smart locks

…I forgot my safe’s combination

1. Check your paperwork. The combination or a recovery code is sometimes in the manual or the purchase papers.
2. Electronic keypad? Change the battery first. A weak battery is a common reason a code stops working.
3. Stop guessing. Many electronic safes lock you out for a while after a few wrong tries.
4. Don’t drill or pry it. You can damage the safe or trip a relocker that makes it much harder to open.

We open locked safes and can set a new combination.

…my smart lock’s battery died, or I forgot the code

Dead battery: most smart locks have a backup. Look for a key slot, or for two terminals under the keypad where you can hold a 9-volt battery to wake it up. Your lock’s manual will say which it has.

Forgotten code: check the lock’s app, or look for a programming code in the manual or on a sticker inside the battery cover. If that doesn’t work, we can reset it and set it up again.

Have your ID handy

Before we open a home or business, or make a new car key, California law has us note a few details from your ID and ask you to sign a work order. Having your ID ready (and the registration, for a car key) speeds things up.