At Fitz’z, it’s not about the cars –
It’s about the people who drive them!
Monday to Friday
From 8:00am – 4:30pm
At Fitz’z, it’s not about the cars –
It’s about the people who drive them!
Monday to Friday
From 8:00am – 4:30pm
There’s nothing quite like the sinking feeling of a broken key fob, a jammed ignition, or realizing you’ve lost your only set of car keys. At Fitz’z Automotive Service, we’ve been helping drivers throughout St. Louis and the surrounding area navigate exactly these situations for over three decades. As a family-owned shop, we understand that automotive locksmith problems rarely happen at a convenient time — and we know how frustrating it can be when a dealership quotes you an outrageous price and a two-week wait just to get a replacement key programmed.
That’s why we’ve invested in dealer-level key programming equipment and trained our technicians to handle everything from traditional key cutting to advanced transponder programming and ignition system repair. Whether you’re driving through downtown St. Louis on your daily commute or you’re closer to home here in Lemay and your ignition won’t turn, we’re your neighborhood alternative to the dealership runaround. Located in the heart of Lemay, MO, just minutes from St. Louis, our shop is built on the belief that honest, expert automotive care shouldn’t cost you a fortune or require you to hand your vehicle over to a stranger for days on end. We send you transparent digital vehicle inspections directly to your phone, so you always know exactly what’s happening with your car and why. No surprises, no hidden fees — just the kind of straightforward service that’s kept St. Louis families coming back to Fitz’z since 1988.
Automotive locksmith work has evolved dramatically from the days of simple key blanks and tumblers. Today’s vehicles feature encrypted transponder chips, proximity-based smart keys, and immobilizer systems that require sophisticated programming tools to service. At Fitz’z Automotive Service, we provide the full spectrum of automotive locksmith solutions — from cutting a traditional spare key to reprogramming a high-security key fob for the latest model-year vehicles. Our approach addresses not just the immediate problem, but the underlying cause, ensuring your vehicle’s security system functions reliably for the long haul.
For over 30 years, the Fitz’z name has been synonymous with trusted automotive care in the Lemay community. When we opened our doors, we made a commitment to treat every customer the way we’d want to be treated — with honesty, respect, and fair pricing. That philosophy extends to every locksmith service we perform. Unlike dealerships that often charge premium rates for key replacement and ignition work, we deliver the same quality results using the same caliber equipment at a price that makes sense for working families in South County.
Whether you drive a Ford F-150, a Toyota Camry, an Audi A5, or a classic Chevrolet, our technicians have the training and tooling to service your vehicle’s key and ignition system. European vehicles, in particular, often require proprietary software and specialized protocols for key programming — capabilities many general locksmiths simply don’t have. At Fitz’z, we’ve made the investment so you don’t have to make the trip to a specialty dealership across the river.
Modern key fobs do far more than lock and unlock your doors. They communicate with your vehicle’s immobilizer system, enable push-button start, and in many cases control remote start and trunk release functions. When a key fob fails, gets damaged, or is lost, we use dealer-level scan tools to program a new fob to your vehicle’s specific security protocol. We stock a wide selection of OEM and high-quality aftermarket fobs and can typically complete programming the same day you bring your vehicle in.
Having a spare key isn’t just convenient — it’s one of the smartest investments you can make as a vehicle owner. Replacing a single lost key is significantly more expensive than having a duplicate made while you still have the original. We offer precision laser-cut and standard key cutting for virtually every make and model, ensuring your spare fits and functions exactly like your primary key.
Getting your car back after a theft should feel like a relief — but recovered vehicles often come with damage that isn’t obvious until it becomes a problem on the road. Thieves routinely force the ignition, break steering columns, and tamper with electronics in ways that don’t show up without a professional inspection. At Fitz’z Automotive, we use advanced diagnostic tools to scan every module in your recovered vehicle, checking for fault codes, bypassed security systems, and hidden electrical damage. We handle everything from ignition repair and key reprogramming to ADAS recalibration and airbag verification — and we coordinate directly with your insurance company so the process moves as smoothly as possible.
A worn or failing ignition switch can leave you stranded without warning. Common symptoms include difficulty turning the key, intermittent starting problems, or the engine cutting out while driving. Our technicians diagnose ignition issues using advanced electronic testing to pinpoint whether the problem lies in the switch itself, the wiring harness, or the key’s transponder chip. We then repair or replace only what’s necessary, saving you money without compromising safety.
The steering column lock cylinder is a critical security component that can wear out over time or sustain damage during an attempted theft. We service and replace lock cylinders across all makes, re-keying them to match your existing key whenever possible. For vehicles that have been targeted by thieves — a growing concern in the St. Louis metro area — we also inspect the full steering column assembly for hidden damage that could cause problems down the road.
Before we cut a single key or program a single fob, we start with a thorough diagnostic scan of your vehicle’s immobilizer and security systems. This step is essential because what seems like a “bad key” problem is sometimes an issue with the vehicle’s body control module, antenna ring, or wiring. By identifying the root cause first, we avoid unnecessary parts replacements and get you back on the road faster.
Transparency is a cornerstone of everything we do at Fitz’z. When we inspect your vehicle’s key, ignition, or security system, we document our findings with photos and detailed notes through our digital vehicle inspection platform. These updates are sent directly to your phone or email in real time, so you can see exactly what we see. You’ll never have to wonder whether a recommended repair is truly necessary — the evidence is right there in front of you.
Key programming isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Each manufacturer uses proprietary security protocols, and many require specific software versions and secure access tokens to add new keys. Our investment in dealer-level programming equipment means we can handle the same procedures that franchise dealerships perform — from Toyota’s Smart Key All Key Lost procedures to Audi’s proprietary module programming — right here in our Lemay shop.
After every locksmith service, we perform comprehensive testing to ensure your new key, fob, or ignition component works flawlessly with your vehicle’s entire security ecosystem. This includes verifying remote lock and unlock functions, push-button start operation, immobilizer recognition, and alarm system synchronization. We don’t consider the job complete until every system communicates correctly and you’re confident in the result.
Since 1988, Fitz’z Automotive Service has been a fixture in the Lemay community. We’ve built our reputation one customer at a time — through honest assessments, quality workmanship, and the kind of personal attention that big dealerships simply can’t match. Our longevity speaks to the trust our neighbors in South County, Mehlville, Oakville, and beyond have placed in us, and we work every day to earn it.
Our technicians hold certifications that reflect the complexity of today’s vehicles, including advanced training in electronics and security systems. In Lemay, MO, auto repair shops can highlight their technicians’ qualifications through the Missouri-Recognized Repair Technician program, which requires ASE certifications in key areas like electronics and engine performance. Whether your vehicle is a 1970 Mustang with a simple tumbler lock or a 2024 Genesis equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems, our team has the expertise to service it correctly and safely.
Dealerships often charge $300 to $600 or more for a single key fob replacement, plus programming fees. At Fitz’z, we provide the same service using comparable equipment and genuine or high-quality OEM-equivalent parts at a fraction of the cost. Our transparent pricing means you’ll know the full cost upfront before any work begins — no surprise “shop fees” or inflated parts markups.
Vehicle theft and break-ins remain a persistent problem across the St. Louis metro area. If your vehicle has been stolen and recovered, or if someone has damaged your locks, ignition, or steering column during an attempted theft, we provide complete restoration services. From replacing damaged lock cylinders and ignition switches to reprogramming your security system to reject stolen keys, we’ll restore your vehicle’s integrity and your peace of mind.
We understand that a fleet vehicle sitting idle due to a lost key or ignition problem costs your business money every hour. Fitz’z offers priority fleet locksmith services for commercial customers in the Lemay area, including bulk key duplication, fleet-wide re-keying, and ignition system maintenance programs designed to prevent downtime before it happens.
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It!
While our shop calls Lemay home, we proudly serve drivers throughout South County and the greater St. Louis area. Customers regularly visit us from Mehlville, Oakville, Affton, Concord, Green Park, Sappington, and communities throughout St. Louis County. Our convenient location near Lemay Ferry Road makes us easy to reach from virtually anywhere in the metro area.
Unlike mobile locksmiths who work from a van with limited tools, our fully equipped shop gives us access to the power supply, diagnostic equipment, and software platforms needed for complex programming procedures. This is especially important for European vehicles and newer models that require stable, uninterrupted connections during the programming process. Bringing your vehicle to our shop ensures the job is done right the first time.
For most domestic and Asian vehicles, key fob programming takes between 30 minutes and one hour. European vehicles and certain luxury models may require additional time due to more complex security protocols. In many cases, we can complete the entire process while you wait in our comfortable lobby.
Absolutely. We have the specialized software and hardware required to program keys and fobs for Audi, Volkswagen, and other European manufacturers. This capability saves our customers a significant trip to a dealership — and a significant hit to their wallet.
In most cases, ignition and lock damage resulting from theft or attempted theft is covered under your vehicle’s comprehensive insurance policy. We work with insurance companies regularly and can provide detailed documentation of the damage and necessary repairs to help streamline your claim.
On average, our customers save 30% to 50% compared to dealership pricing for equivalent key replacement and ignition services. The exact savings depend on your vehicle’s make, model, and the specific service needed. We’re always happy to provide a free estimate so you can compare before committing.
Curious about the health of your vehicle’s ignition system or security components? Schedule a digital vehicle inspection and receive detailed findings sent directly to your phone. It’s the transparent, no-pressure way to understand exactly what your vehicle needs.
Stop by Fitz’z Automotive Service in Lemay, MO, for fast, affordable, and expert automotive locksmith services. Whether you need a spare key, a new fob, or a complete ignition overhaul, our team is ready to help. No appointment is necessary for estimates, but scheduling ahead ensures we can serve you as quickly as possible.