What Kind of Car Key Do I Have?

Average motorists typically pay little attention to the keys that operate their cars, trucks, SUVs, or vans until they lose them, lock them inside the vehicle, or damage them. Although all keys perform in the same way—either by starting an ignition or opening a lock on a door or trunk—not all keys are the same. Knowing which type of key you have can be important if you ever need to have a key replaced.

There are essentially five different types of keys. Most locksmiths can cut all of these keys, especially if you're dealing with a company like SK Locksmith who is on the cutting edge of key-cutting technology and who has invested in the appropriate equipment and software for the job. The five basic types of car keys include:

• Mechanical-cut car keys. This is the most easily recognized and popular type of key. It is basic and plain, and most of the older model cars used this type of key. It is only cut on one side of its blade, so it can go into your car's ignition only one way; if you turn it the other way, it won't go in at all.

These keys are easily cut using a special punch-type machine—the type you see in most hardware stores or even some big box retailers. These keys are seen less and less today, due to technological advances, including laser cutting that is slowly making mechanical-cut keys a thing of the past.

• Laser-cut car keys. These keys, which are sometimes called internal-cut keys, feature the same cuts on both sides. If you can stick your key in the ignition from both sides and it still turns, then this is probably the type of key you own. Most of today's keys are cut using a laser, and automakers are turning to this type of key because it is harder to pick than mechanical-cut keys.

• Transponder keys. This type of key has a tiny chip in its handle, but it can still be cut by both mechanical and laser-cut methods. Nonetheless, the chip in the key makes it difficult for thugs and car thieves to duplicate, so it is a step up in terms of security from the basic mechanical key.

• Vehicle anti-theft system keys or VAT keys. These keys are mechanically cut and they are specially designed with a unique resistor in the blade. The resistor can be one of fifteen different types, which makes it a lot harder for crooks to make on their own.

• Smart keys. This type of key, as the name suggests, does a lot of intelligent things, including starting your car from across the parking lot or from the front door of your home when it's cold outside and you want to warm it up before you get in. These keys are really difficult for a would-be bad guy to duplicate, making them the ultimate in security for your car.

No matter what type of car key type, locksmiths can reproduce keys for you if you lose or damage your existing keys.