What are Transponder Keys?

Transponder keys are manufactured for motor vehicles and allow one to start a vehicle's engine without the use of a physical key. This is accomplished via radio wave transmission that occurs between the transponder and the vehicle, and the transponder may be programmed to start only one unique vehicle. In this way, transponder keys reduce the number of incidents of vehicle theft.

Programming

A blank transponder key can be programmed to start a vehicle, but it may take a half an hour or more to do so. Programming a transponder key is accomplished via a microchip that is embedded in the top portion of the key. The chip contains a serial number, which is created by a programmer and made for one transponder key only. This serial number is sent from the transponder chip to be matched with a range of serial numbers within a given vehicle's computer system. If the serial number from the transonder's chip does not match the vehicle's accepted serial number range, the vehicle cannot be started.

Tips for Usage

If one purchases a vehicle that uses transponder keys, it is a good idea to have no fewer than two keys on hand or nearby. This is important because keys can get misplaced or lost, and any new or blank keys will need to be programmed freshly. A vehicle owner may or may not be able to program new transponder keys depending on the type or model of vehicle that he or she has. If all else fails, a dealer should be able to make a replacement key, but this involves further time and hassle.

It should also be remembered that while it may be nearly impossible to start a vehicle that uses a transponder key, this does not mean that such vehicles are immune to theft. In fact, thieves have been known to tow away vehicles that cannot be hot wired or stolen in the traditional way!