Transponder Keys

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A transponder shank is either a basic car key or a laser-cut key. The major difference between a basic car key and a transponder key is that the chip in the transponder key must be programmed before it can start the vehicle. All dealerships have the machines necessary to program the key. Some might program it for free, but others will charge up to an hour of labor. Most auto locksmiths should also have these machines.

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Laser-Cut Keys

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• You can tell a laser-cut key apart from a basic car key because the shank is slightly thicker and has fewer carved-out grooves. Laser-cut keys are often referred to as sidewinder keys due to the distinctive winding cut on the shank. The machines needed to cut these keys are significantly more expensive than a standard key-cutting machine and are not as likely to be found at every locksmith or hardware store.

• Laser-cut keys also have built-in transponder chips, and they need to be programmed at the dealership or by a locksmith, preferably one who is a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA).

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Switchblade Key

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• A keyless entry remote, also known as a “smart key,” isn’t a car key in the traditional sense. It is a key fob that is either inserted in the dash or, in newer vehicles, stays in your pocket or purse. The driver can then enter the vehicle and start the engine with the press of a button.

• A keyless entry remote’s main form of security is its ability to use rolling security codes. The system randomizes the correct code and prevents thieves from hacking it through the use of a device called a code grabber. The vehicle’s computer recognizes the code emitted by the smart key and verifies it before starting the engine. Mercedes-Benz was one of the first automakers to use this technology and even coined the term “smart key.” Every vehicle in its lineup now uses a form of the smart key.