AUTOMOTIVE KEYS & REMOTES

Automotive Keys & Remotes

Today in the automotive industry there are many different types and makes and models of cars, trucks, S.U.V.s, motorcycles, etc., and so inevitably there are also many types of keys and remotes that are used to start and control those vehicles. This industry is continually making more technologically advanced ways to keep our vehicles safe from theft and easier to use for the owner. Today I want to talk about and explain the main types of keys and remotes that get us into and start the engines of our wide variety of vehicles. While I give generic examples of the different types of keys and remotes, keep in mind that each vehicle uses a specific type of key and/or remote that has to be cut and usually programmed to lock, unlock, and start the vehicle. I’ll begin with the most basic type of key and increase to the “smarter” keys.

1.     

      Mechanical/ Emergency/ Non-Chipped/ Non-Transponder Keys

These types of keys are cheaper because they don’t have transponder chips in them. They are used primarily for locking and unlocking car doors in case of emergency (such as keys locked in car), motorcycles often use chip less keys to start them, and older vehicles that were made before 2000 often do as well. This is not always the case but true in most cases. Chip less keys are also used as test keys to cut before cutting the more expensive chipped keys to make sure the key cut is accurate.

2.      Chipped/ Transponder Keys

These types of keys have small, electronic chips inside the head of the key that when programmed, using automotive diagnostic equipment, will communicate with the vehicle, so that the vehicle knows it’s the correct key for that particular vehicle. This way not just any key that is cut the same can start your car. At Jensen Locksmithing we use a key programming machine called the MVP Pro. Using transponder keys like this is great for security purposes, even though it’s a little more expensive than a chip less key.

3.      Automotive Remotes

These types of remotes are used for many functions. Depending on your vehicle, they can lock, unlock, pop the trunk or back door hatch, start and stop the vehicle’s engine, open doors, and turn on/off panic alarm. These remotes do need to be programmed as well, sometimes with diagnostic equipment, sometimes with special on-board programming instructions.

4.      Remote Head Keys

These keys also fall under the category of chipped keys, with a few exceptions. It’s a programmable key that has a remote on the top of the key blade, usually with the chip inside there. After cutting the key, it needs to be programmed, and then the remote also needs to be programmed.

 

5.      Flip Keys

These keys are a lot like remote head keys except the blade flips into the remote part of the key. To flip the key back out, there is a button you push that flips it out, and you push in the same button to fold the key blade back in. These keys usually require the high security cutting for the blade, often using what is called a sidewinder cut, like in the example below.

6.      High Security Keys

High Security Keys can include Non-Chipped Keys, Chipped Keys, Remote Head Keys, Flip Keys, or any other type of key with a high security blade. The key blade is thicker and needs a special key cutting machine to do the job. At Jensen Locksmithing we have the capability to cut these high security keys with our 3D Pro Extreme Lasor Key Cutting Machine.

 

7.      Fobik Keys/Remotes

Electronic key fobs, or fobik keys, are used for things like remote keyless entry and starting a vehicle’s ignition. They use challenge-response authentication over radio frequency. To program these fobik keys, it requires diagnostic equipment, very similar to the chipped keys. These keys look like an automotive remote, and can do the same things a remote does (lock, unlock, panic button, etc.), but you also use it to put in a special ignition to start the car. These keys also contain an insert emergency key that will unlock the doors if needed but will not start the car on most models.

  Proximity Keys/Remotes

These keys have a few different types, but these differences mainly apply to programming the keys/remotes. However, in general the functionality of these keys, after being programmed, work based on the same idea. If you have the proximity key, or prox key, within the proximity of the car (such as inside the vehicle or in your pocket or purse or just close by), you can start the car, lock it, unlock it, pop the trunk, etc. Although these keys are quite a bit more costly, they do have very nice features with many great benefits. These keys also come with an insert emergency key that will unlock the car if needed but will not start the car on most models.

I hope that this was a little bit helpful on teaching you about the different types of automotive keys and remotes there are out there. If you happen to have any other questions, our expert car locksmiths at JENSEN LOCKSMITHING would love to help you out. Feel free to call us at (435)319-0361 or (208)351-8322, or visit our website at JensenLocksmithing.com/automotive.