Did you know there are three kinds of car keys?

Regular car key

Regular car keys are mechanical and can be copied by any hardware store or home store that makes car keys. Since regular car keys are easy to duplicate, they are no longer used in most new cars, which use electronic keys that deter car thefts.

Transponder key

Transponder key

Transponder keys are found in most new cars, especially all top-selling models. A transponder key uses an electronic computer chip to make the key difficult to copy and hard for thieves to steal cars. The transponder key can be programmed with one of trillions of security codes. When a transponder key is inserted it signals the car to start. The newest transponder key send a radio signal to your car to tell it to start. Some cars will start without a key when you push a button whenever the key is nearby, even when it’s still in your purse or pocket! As long as the car receives the radio signal, you are good to go. 

Transponder keys are difficult to copy because you need special equipment to program them. Atlanta Locksmith Now can program almost any make and model of car key. A few models will require you to go to your car dealer, but car dealers typically charge high prices for the same transponder key you may get much cheaper from a reputable locksmith. Hardware stores without the special equipment and training needed to make transponder keys can only make old-fashioned mechanical car keys.

VATS key

VATS key

VATS keys are found in many cars made by General Motors. The car knows a particular VATS keys is the right one to start the car because the VATS key has a resistor chip in the car key shank that sends a particular value to the car’s computer whenever the VATS key is inserted into the car’s ignition lock. Since there are only about 15 different resistor values, VATS keys are less secure than transponder keys. Atlanta Locksmith Now can create a replacement VATS key for any General Motors car.