Car Key Replacement in Chicago, IL

Proving the car is yours

A replacement key starts with ownership: have photo ID and the registration or title in your name. If the car is leased or financed, say so up front, since the title may be held by someone else. Whoever does the work, get the full cost in writing before any cutting or programming starts, and keep the itemized invoice. If a job goes wrong, the Illinois Attorney General takes consumer complaints, preferably online.

The VIN and the key type

The vehicle identification number is usually visible at the base of the windshield on the driver's side and is printed on the registration. Note it along with the make, model and year. Also say what kind of key the car uses: a metal-blade key, a key with a plastic head, or a push-button start fob. Say whether any working key is left, because adding a spare and replacing every lost key are different jobs. If the lost key may be in someone else's hands, ask whether it can be erased from the car so it no longer starts the engine.

A car with no key cannot get out of the way

Chicago's snow rules can put a clock on a car that cannot be driven. When snow reaches 2 inches on the street, the city can close 500 miles of main streets to parking, day or night and on any date, and a car left there risks a ticket or relocation. The separate winter overnight ban is described on the car lockout page. If your car is on a main street, note it in the request. A car kept in a garage or a lot is off the street, but say which it is and where.

What to have ready

1. Photo ID and the registration or title.
2. Make, model, year and VIN.
3. Any keys or fobs you still have, working or not.
4. The car's location: cross streets, street or garage, and any parking sign.

See car key replacement for the job in full and key fob programming if a fob only needs to be paired. The Chicago page has a short summary of the winter parking rules.