What is a Transponder Car Key?

One of the biggest advances in car security is something so small that it easily fits into the palm of your hand: the transponder car key. Since 1998, car manufacturers started adopting this technology across the board. You’d be hard pressed to find a vehicle that doesn’t employ this technology that was manufactured after this year, and for good reason!

Transponder car keys have indeed revolutionized the safety of your motor vehicle. But how does this technology work to provide security and peace of mind to vehicle owners? Let’s find out.

How does it work?

The workings of a transponder car key actually lie in the name itself: “transmitter” and “responder”. Inside that seemingly simple key is a complex microchip that emits a distinct code via a radio frequency which is picked up by the sensor or receiver in your car. This code is unique to your car and was set at the time when your key was first programmed to your car’s computer system.

When you press your key, it sends out that special code necessary to disable the engine immobilizer and start the vehicle. This system only works if a right key is used, otherwise the car will not be able to validate the digital code and it will remain locked.

What are the advantages of using a transponder key?

Since 1998, car manufacturers started adopting this technology across the board. You’d be hard pressed to find a vehicle that doesn’t employ this technology that was manufactured after this year, and for good reason! These microchip embedded keys make it much harder to break in and hotwire your vehicle. Even if someone manages to break into your vehicle, they won’t be able to start the engine without having the transponder key as your car has not received that all important code or signal.

Stealing a car is incredibly difficult, if not impossible, when its engine remains immobilised. In some cases, an alarm in the vehicle will sound if someone uses a key that transmits an invalid code. This unexpected noise is usually enough to send the car thieves running – yet another benefit!

Transponder Car Keys replacement and programming

Though there is general agreement that transponders are the way to go to keep your vehicle safe, getting a replacement can be expensive. It’s a great idea to have a local locksmith make a spare or duplicate key for you, as this makes the replacement and programming for these keys a much easier and less-expensive process. Duplicating the key can be completed by a professional auto locksmith at a fraction of the time and cost, and you can store that duplicate in a safe place in case you misplace your key or the it begins to malfunction.

Replacing these keys is an incredibly complex task requiring genuine expertise, programming software and specialised tools – underlining the importance of hiring a certified and trained auto locksmith to do the job.

Lost your chip keys? Looking for a trustworthy, trained auto locksmith in Racine? Call Racine’s Lock & Key at (262) 509-0366. Our technicians are experts in repairing a damaged chip key as well as providing a quick transponder key replacement right at your location. We will also delete the lost or misplaced key from your car’s computer system. This safety practice renders old keys useless, making sure that they can no longer be used to unlock and start your car.