In this blog entry, the professional automotive locksmith service in Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach car key replacement service team here at Myrtle Beach Locksmith will detail the most common forms of car keys found on the market today.
Mechanical Car Keys
Mechanical car keys are the most traditional form of car key, and they are called standard car keys for this reason. They are used on older cars that lack special security encoding technology. This key can be created by any type of key cutting machine. They are not the most secure, and are made mostly of metal.
Remote Car Keys
These keys are usually used to unlock or lock vehicles remotely. They use an infrared signal or a radio transmitter to send a message to the car’s receiver. They are often battery operated and have a button on a key fob that works to disable the car’s alarm system. These keys have to be placed into the ignition to start the vehicle, unlike smart keys that can start the vehicle without physical touch.
Transponder Keys
These keys have a microchip embedded in the key handle, making it more secure than standard car keys. They have been used since 1995. Rolling code transponder keys were introduced in 1999 and send a different code every time the car is used, keeping the vehicle more secure than typical transponder keys.
Fip Style Car Remotes
Also called switchblade keys, these keys fold up into themselves. A button pops out the key for easy use, and the key base or shank can be easily retracted into the key head or fob.
Smart Car Keys
These keys stay inside your pocket, and work alongside a set of antennae in the car that can detect the presence of the smart key near it, disengaging the car’s immobilizer and allowing the ignition to be started with the press of a button. Smart keys are a form of key fob.
Master Keys
Old automobiles came with a master key that could be used to make duplicates of the original key or replace the key. They weren’t meant for everyday use. They costed hundreds of dollars to replace – or even sometimes require the entire replacement of the engine management system. Modern automobiles don’t have master keys, but old vintage cars might require the presence of a master key.
Valet Keys
Valley car keys are meant to be used by valet services. This allows vehicle owners to provide a special key with limited functionality to a valet, keeping a car more secure while the valet service packs the car. The valet key can only lock and unlock the doors and start the ignition, but it cannot open a glove box or trunk. Many drivers keep a valet key around in case they accidentally lock themselves out or misplace their car keys.