What Are Transponder Car Keys?
Transponder car keys were a revolutionary security upgrade in the car industry thanks to the advancing technology. The first transponder keys were used in 1985 and quickly after it became mainstream. General Motors was the first company that introduced transponder keys in United States in their 1985 Corvette car. Transponder keys are similar to non-transponder key in that they both use a metal key blade that needs to be cut in a unique sequence in order to fit the ignition. The difference between transponder key and non-transponder key is hidden inside the plastic cap of the transponder keys. This plastic cap contains a small chip which receives a radio frequency signal from the antenna ring of the immobilizer and in return it sends back a code to the antenna. Then the antenna will send this code to the car’s computer system which in return will disable the immobilizer and allow the car to start. It is even more amazing to know that all these signal and code exchange occurs in split of a second!

Now lets talk about why transponder keys were made in the first place and what purpose they serve to the consumers. Car theft has been a huge problem ever since car’s became widely used so car manufacturers started looking for a solution to this problem. Stealing cars was as easy as making two wires touch to start the car in the process that has been termed “hot wiring”. This is where transponder keys come to the rescue because they require a radio frequency code in order for the car to start. If a car thief gets passed your door locks and then tries to hot wire your car then they will fail because without the correct key there is no way to send the radio frequency code that the immobilizer needs in order to allow the car to start. It’s important to note that transponder keys must be programmed into your car’s system in order for them to work. A professional locksmith can cut and program any transponder key for your car as well as delete the old keys from the car’s system.

What is a Non-Transponder Key?
Most cars used simple metal non-transponder car keys without any programmable chip inside until the late 1990’s. Non-transponder keys are still high security keys in that it typically has a cut on both upper and lower portion of the key which makes the ignition impossible to be picked by a picking tool. However non-transponder key system does not have an immobilizer that will prevent the engine from starting without the correct code so instead it will let the engine to start as long as the key turns the ignition or by touching the starter wires together to start up the engine. This is the most common way cars are stolen by thieves and it requires very little knowledge to successfully steal a car with hot wiring process. Any locksmith can make or duplicate a non-transponder keys for older car models, but we highly suggest that you try it on the spot before leaving to make sure that it will perfectly fit your door locks as well as the ignition itself.

Another important piece of information to keep in mind is that you cannot switch from using non-transponder key to a transponder key because your car does not have the immobilizer system built in. When you are looking for a key blank make sure you are not spending extra money to purchase a transponder key thinking it will improve your car’s security. Same idea applies in reverse as well so do not purchase a key without a chip if your car uses a transponder key otherwise it can go inside the ignition and turn, but will fail to start the car. In terms of price transponder keys are typically a little more expensive to make since they require programming as well as cutting. A local professional locksmith can easily assist you with both types of keys!