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Damage-Free Unlock, Zero-Damage Record Since 2010
Grabbed a coffee on India Street and heard the click. Loaded groceries at Vons on Market and your toddler hit the lock button. Airport Park & Ride at 11 PM and the fob battery died. Our background-checked technicians carry air wedges, long-reach tools, and electronic bypass equipment, the same gear used by dealerships and law enforcement.
Servicio en Tijuana: (664) 801-9382RJ Towing dispatches a trained lockout technician to your location in 15-20 minutes, anywhere in San Diego County. We use professional non-damaging tools, no broken windows, no scratched paint. Call (619) 872-5285 now. We answer 24/7, including holidays. Hablamos español.
$75 flat rate for standard vehicle lockouts during regular hours. That covers the trip to your location and the unlock itself. No hidden fees. No mileage surcharges within San Diego County.
A few situations that may affect pricing:
We never charge if we cannot get you in. No unlock, no bill.
Our technicians carry tools for virtually every make and model on San Diego roads.
Some newer vehicles, particularly Tesla Model 3/Y, certain Rivian models, high-end Mercedes, use flush door handles or fully electronic latches that require specialized bypass techniques. We carry the equipment. Mention the make/model/year when you call.
We get calls every week from people who tried to save money by unlocking the car themselves. It almost always costs them more.
The classic "slim jim" trick works on vehicles made before roughly 2000. Modern vehicles have side-impact airbag wiring, anti-theft sensors, and electronic lock modules inside the door panel. Shoving a coat hanger in there can trigger an airbag, sever wiring, or jam the lock mechanism permanently. Repair bills over $1,200 are real.
Even small bending at the door frame misaligns the window seal, causes water leaks, creates wind noise, and cracks the door's internal reinforcement. Body shops charge $300-$600 to fix pry damage.
Tempered side glass costs $200-$400 to replace, plus you will have glass fragments throughout the interior for months. Your car is exposed to theft until the window is replaced. A $75 lockout call is far cheaper.
San Diego has a well-documented problem with unlicensed "locksmith" operators who quote $15-$25 on the phone, then demand $150-$300 on-site. RJ Towing is a licensed, insured, established San Diego business since 2010. Our price is our price.
Fashion Valley, Westfield UTC, Las Americas Premium Outlets near the border. Car locked, standing in the sun, phone battery at 12%. This is our most common call.
We know every parking structure in the county and can reach most mall locations in under 20 minutes.
Modern key fobs fail without warning. Your 2022 Hyundai Tucson does not have a physical keyhole visible, it is hidden under a cap most owners do not know about. Even then, the steering column is locked electronically.
Our technicians carry bypass tools for push-button start vehicles. No waiting for a mobile locksmith to reprogram.
Most urgent scenario. San Diego temperatures hit the 80s and 90s, parked cars reach 120 degrees inside within 20 minutes. If a child or pet is locked inside and showing signs of distress, call 911 first.
Otherwise call (619) 872-5285, priority dispatch, trip fee waived for child/pet lockout emergencies.
1:30 AM. Bars closing. You locked keys in the car on Fifth Avenue or Garnet. Most locksmiths in San Diego stop answering after midnight. We do not.
Well-lit, uniformed technician arrives, no unmarked cars, no guessing who showed up.
Construction site in Kearny Mesa, warehouse in Otay Mesa, office park in Sorrento Valley. Keys locked in the truck, tools in there too.
We handle commercial vehicle lockouts, work trucks, vans, fleet vehicles, and can bill your company directly if you have a fleet account.
Key snapped off inside the door lock. Happens more often with older Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas, thin keys, stiff locks, especially in the morning cold near the coast.
We extract the broken piece and unlock the door without damaging the lock cylinder.
| Service | Starting Price |
|---|---|
Standard vehicle lockout Any lock type, any vehicle under standard hours | $75 flat |
After-hours (10 PM - 6 AM) Quoted upfront before dispatch | Small surcharge |
High-security vehicle (flush handles, some EVs) Tesla with no door handles, certain Mercedes/BMW | Quoted on call |
Commercial vehicle lockout Sprinter, box truck, fleet, fleet billing available | Per-job quote |
Child or pet locked inside Call 911 first if in distress | Priority dispatch, fee waived |
No unlock, no bill. We never charge if we cannot get you in. Our zero-damage record is backed by commercial liability insurance.
We do not use coat hangers. We do not use screwdrivers. We use the same professional-grade tools trusted by dealerships, law enforcement, and AAA contractors.
Every tool in our kit is designed to leave zero evidence that the vehicle was ever locked out. No scratches. No bent door frames. No damaged weatherstripping.
In San Diego heat, interior temperatures can exceed 130 degrees on a 90-degree day. Call 911 first if the child or pet is showing signs of distress, first responders are authorized to break the window immediately. Otherwise call (619) 872-5285 for priority dispatch with no trip fee.
Some industrial zones along Main Street, parts of El Cajon Boulevard after dark, if the area feels unsafe, stay where there is foot traffic or visible lighting. Tell us on the phone and we will prioritize your dispatch.
RJ Towing arrives in marked trucks with uniformed technicians. If someone arrives in an unmarked vehicle offering lockout service, do not engage, unlicensed operators are a real problem in San Diego. Our driver will confirm your name and the service call before starting.
Our price on the phone is our price on-site. If any operator quotes low on the phone and raises on arrival, refuse the service. $75 flat is our published rate.
For downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter, East Village, Little Italy, Bankers Hill, and Hillcrest, typical response time is 12-18 minutes. North Park, South Park, City Heights, and Normal Heights are similarly fast. North County (Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista) and East County (Santee, Lakeside, Alpine): 25-35 minutes.
Yes. Teslas, push-button start vehicles, and smart-key systems are a growing portion of our lockout calls. We carry electronic bypass equipment and our technicians are trained on current model-year procedures. Mention your specific make/model when you call.
No. We guarantee non-damaging entry. Our tools, air wedges, long-reach rods, electronic bypass, are the same professional equipment used by dealerships and law enforcement. In 15 years of lockout service, we have maintained a zero-damage record. If we somehow cause damage, we carry full liability insurance.
Yes. We ask for basic identification, your name matching the registration, a driver's license, or other reasonable proof. This protects you. If you are driving a friend's car or a rental, we may ask for additional verification (rental agreement, phone call to the registered owner).
We serve the entire South Bay, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, in 15-25 minutes. For situations in Tijuana, call our TJ line: (664) 801-9382.
A licensed San Diego locksmith typically charges $75-$150 for a car lockout. Our flat rate is $75. The difference: we answer 24/7, we arrive in marked trucks with uniformed technicians, and if your car needs a tow afterward (dead battery, mechanical issue), we are already there.
We carry broken key extraction tools. In most cases, we remove the broken fragment and unlock the door without damaging the lock cylinder. If the cylinder is damaged beyond extraction, we unlock the door through alternative entry and tow you to a locksmith or dealer.
Yes. Motorcycle lockouts (locked storage compartments, steering column locks) and commercial vehicle lockouts (Sprinter vans, box trucks, fleet vehicles) are part of our regular service. Commercial may have different pricing, call (619) 872-5285 for a quote.
One call to RJ Towing covers more than a single service. If your situation includes any of these, we handle it on the same dispatch.
Dead battery? Professional surge-protected jump start with battery + alternator test.
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Learn MoreFresh gasoline or diesel delivered to your location in 15-25 minutes.
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Learn MoreWe serve every neighborhood in San Diego County. Central San Diego is our fastest zone.
Freeways We Cover Daily
I-5 · I-8 · I-15 · I-805 · SR-163 · SR-94 · SR-52 · SR-54 · SR-125 · SR-75 · SR-56 · SR-905
Cross-Border Service, The Only One in San Diego
Tijuana Direct Line: (664) 801-9382
You do not need to stand in a parking lot comparing Yelp reviews. RJ Towing has been unlocking cars across San Diego since 2010. Family-owned. 5.0 stars on Google. Background-checked, insured technicians with professional-grade equipment.
$75 flat rate. 15-20 minute arrival. Zero-damage guarantee.
We answer immediately, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
También ofrecemos servicio en español. Llámanos en cualquier momento, (619) 872-5285. Línea directa en Tijuana: (664) 801-9382.
Servicio en Tijuana: (664) 801-9382