I locked my 08 kia optima up with the keys in it how can i unlock it wothout calling a locksmith?

Asked by Karen Oct 01, 2016 at 10:29 PM about the 2008 Kia Optima LX

Question type: General

1 Answer

59,095

For vehicles that are newer, then the VIN can be a helpful tool. The number a locksmith needs to make a key for your vehicle is called a “code” number. Car dealerships require proof of registration and ownership before they will give out this information. A dealership uses your VIN number to see what the code number is for that vehicle IF the vehicle is ten (10) years old or less. If the vehicle is older than that, then dealerships clear their database and for the newer vehicles. So while a VIN number may work for a dealer, it doesn’t do much good for a locksmith. The other side to this is that a VIN number doesn’t do any good if the locks on the vehicle have been changed. Dealers only keep the originally code numbers, so if the locks on your vehicle have been re-keyed, then that number won’t work for your car. If you purchase a vehicle second hand there is a 50/50 chance that this could be the case.

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