Automotive Locksmith
Jacob’s Lock and Key handles car lockouts, key replacement, and ignition repair across Gary and Northwest Indiana. We’re typically on-site within 10–15 minutes, 7 AM to 11 PM, 7 days a week. We use professional Lishi tools for damage-free entry on all makes and models, from standard sedans to semi-trucks. Call (219) 342-5595 for an upfront quote before we touch your vehicle.
Ignition Repair and Cylinder Replacement
A worn ignition is one of the most common car problems we fix in Gary. Over time, the small wafers inside the cylinder wear down, and then your key sticks, jiggles, or refuses to turn at all. Sometimes the key turns but the car will not start, and sometimes a worn key snaps off inside the slot. Because we come to you, you do not need a tow to a dealership. Instead, our mobile van carries the picks, cylinders, and cutting gear to sort it out in your driveway or a parking lot.
First, we figure out whether the trouble is the key, the cylinder, or the ignition switch behind it. Next, we either recut a fresh key or swap the cylinder and match it to your current key, so you still carry just one key for everything. For push-to-start vehicles, we also handle the electronic side, so a dead fob or a failed start does not strand you. Most ignition jobs wrap up on the spot, and we usually reach you within 10 to 15 minutes. If you need a lock rekey or a spare key at the same time, we can take care of that in one visit too.
Car Keys We Cut and Program by Make
We make and program keys for most domestic and import vehicles right at the curb. For American brands, we cover Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, Buick, Cadillac, and Lincoln. On the import side, we handle Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Mazda, and Mitsubishi, plus the Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti luxury lines. Whether you drive a work truck or a family SUV, we can usually cut a fresh key and pair it to your car in one stop.
Modern keys are not just metal, though. Many need a transponder chip or a push-to-start fob programmed to your exact vehicle, and we carry the gear to do both. If you have lost every copy, we can still generate a new key from the car itself, so a total loss is not the emergency it once was. That range covers everything from a basic transponder key to a proximity smart key, so whatever your car expects, we can match it. In short, from daily commuters to late-model trucks and SUVs, we cut and program the key your vehicle actually needs and get you rolling again.
Semi-Truck, Fleet, and 18-Wheeler Service
Gary sits right on the freight corridor where the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) and the Borman Expressway (I-94) carry heavy traffic day and night. As a result, many of our calls come from drivers locked out at truck stops, rest areas, and loading docks along that stretch. We open cab doors on 18-wheelers and box trucks without prying or damage, and we cut replacement keys for many heavy and commercial vehicles on-site.
Fleet managers call us too, because a truck stuck in a yard loses money by the hour. Therefore we handle lockouts, spare keys, and lock changes for whole fleets, and we can key several trucks alike so one key runs the group. If your business also needs building security, our commercial locksmith team covers offices, docks, and warehouses across Northwest Indiana. Either way, we aim to reach you within 10 to 15 minutes and get the wheels turning again.
FAQ
How much does a car lockout cost in Gary or Northwest Indiana?
Most car lockouts with Jacob Lock and Key are competitively priced. What you pay depends on your vehicle — a standard sedan is straightforward, a newer push-to-start system takes more time and tools. We tell you the price before we touch anything. No “dispatch fees” that magically double when we arrive. Call (219) 342-5595 and we’ll quote you straight.
How fast can you actually get to me?
In Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, and most of Northwest Indiana, we’re typically at your location within 10–15 minutes. We’re not a national call center that patches you to whoever’s available — we’re local, we know these roads, and we move fast. 7 AM to 11 PM, every day.
My key broke off inside the ignition. Can you fix that without towing my car?
Yes — and this is one of the calls we get most. A broken key inside an ignition looks catastrophic but it’s a clean extraction job for a trained locksmith. We remove the broken piece using professional extraction tools, then cut you a new key on the spot. Your car never leaves the parking lot.
Can you make me a new car key if I’ve lost all my copies?
Absolutely. We verify ownership using your VIN and ID, then cut and program a working key from scratch — no original needed. This includes transponder chip keys, laser-cut high-security keys, and push-to-start fobs. Dealerships charge more and make you wait days. We do it at your car, same day.
Will unlocking my car scratch the door or damage the lock?
Not with us. We use professional Lishi tools — the same equipment used by automotive locksmiths who work with dealerships. These tools work through the door’s existing mechanism, not against it. We’ve unlocked thousands of vehicles across NWI without a scratch. If a locksmith ever suggests breaking a window as a first option, hang up.
Do you work on semi-trucks and commercial vehicles?
Yes. Truckers locked out near the I-90, I-94, or I-65 corridors call us regularly. We handle 18-wheelers, box trucks, cargo vans, and RVs — not just passenger cars. If you’re stranded at a Flying J or truck stop in Lake Station or Portage, we come to you.
Can you program a push-to-start key fob on the spot?
Yes, for most makes and models. We carry professional key programming equipment in our mobile units. Bring your vehicle title or registration and a valid ID and we’ll have you driving in under an hour — no appointment, no dealership, no waiting room.
Last updated: 07/27/2026