What Kind of Car Key Do I Have?
- Most common today
- Push-start smart key
- Hidden in most fobs
- A metal backup key
- Dead fob fix
- A $5 coin battery
The type of key you have decides most of the price, the time and whether a locksmith can do it at all. Here is how to tell, from the oldest to the newest.
Plain Metal Key
All metal, or a thin plastic head with no bulge. Common on cars from before the late 1990s and on some base trim work trucks. Any decent locksmith or hardware counter can copy one. Cheap.
Transponder Key, or Chip Key
A thick plastic head with a tiny chip inside. The car reads the chip and only lets the engine run if it knows that chip. The door still opens with the metal blade, but the engine will crank and die, or not crank at all, with an unpaired key. Most cars from about 2000 to the mid 2010s use these. A hardware store copy opens the doors but will not start the car.
Remote Head Key
Key, chip and lock buttons all in one head. You need both the chip and the remote paired, so programming takes a bit longer than a plain chip key.
Flip Key, or Switchblade Key
The blade folds into the fob and springs out with a button. Common on Volkswagen, Audi, Chevrolet, Ford and many others. The flip hinge is a common failure point. A broken hinge can often be fixed with a new shell, which is far cheaper than a new key.
Smart Key, or Push-Start Fob
You keep it in your pocket and press a start button. There is no key to turn. These cost the most because the fob itself is expensive and the programming is more involved. Almost every one hides a metal emergency key inside. Find the small release slide on yours today, before you need it.
Dead fob trick. Most push-start cars still start with a dead fob battery. You hold the fob against the start button, or put it in a marked spot in the console or cup holder. Your owner's manual shows the exact spot. Then replace the coin battery, usually a CR2032 or similar.
Laser Cut Key, or High Security Key
Instead of teeth on the edge, the blade has a wavy groove cut down the middle of its face. Harder to copy, so it needs a special machine. Many locksmiths have one. Most hardware counters do not.
Card Key and Phone Key
Some newer cars, including Tesla, Hyundai, Genesis, BMW and others, can use your phone or a key card. Losing a phone key is usually fixed through the app and the carmaker, not a locksmith. Keep a backup card in your wallet, not in the car.
Questions People Ask
How do I know if my car key has a chip?
If the head is thick plastic and the car was built after about 2000, it almost surely has a chip. Your owner's manual may list it under the immobilizer or anti-theft section.
Can a hardware store copy my car key?
They can copy the metal cut. Some kiosks can also clone certain chips. A copy without a working chip will open the doors but will not start most cars made since about 2000.
Can I start my car if my key fob battery is dead?
Usually yes. Hold the fob against the start button or place it in the spot your manual shows, then press start. Use the hidden metal key to open the door first.