Modern vehicles come equipped with a transponder key and a special digital lock. Transponder keys are becoming a trend because manufacturers believe digital locks to be more secure than conventional ones.
When the first transponder key hit the market in 1995, it changed the auto locksmith business for good. Compared to the typical mechanical keys, transponder keys were a game-changer. They introduced a new technology that manufacturers still use in cars today. If you bought your car after 1995, it’s likely that your key is a transponder key, which you might not even know. Since they were invented, transponder keys have made cars, motorcycles, and trucks much safer worldwide, cutting vehicle thefts by a huge 40% every single year.
Read on to discover the importance of transponder keys that are listed below.
What Is a Transponder Key?
For those who are wondering: What is a transponder key? It is a key that transmits a low-level signal to a remote reader through a microchip. The maker embeds a one-of-a-kind serial number in the microchip. In order to gain access via radio frequency identification (RFID), the receiver must pick up on the proper serial number. Transponder keys, which resemble key fobs, are commonly used with automobile locks, home security systems, gate openers, and garage doors.
Because the chip transmits very low signals, the car must be opened with the key in the ignition. These low transmission levels deter theft and improve vehicle security.
When a transponder key is inserted into an automobile, a signal is delivered to a receiver by the ignition. The vehicle should start if the transponder’s digital serial number is identical to the one stored in the car’s computer.
Why Do You Need a Transponder Key?
The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that in the first three quarters of 2022, over 745,000 vehicles were stolen, costing the economy $6.6 billion.
Here are some benefits of transponder keys:
1. Improved Security
Manufacturers create transponder keys primarily for security reasons. The vehicle will not start until the low-level signals from the key are detected. A thief cannot open your car with another car’s key because each car comes with a unique transponder key.
These keys essentially contain a microchip with a serial number that is tied to a certain automobile. To respond to the transponder and unlock or open, the receiver must read the right serial number from the microchip using radio frequency identification. When the key is inserted or brought close to the ignition, a connection is made between the two. If the codes are correct, the car will open the door or start the engine when the key is inserted.
This makes it exceedingly difficult for a car thief to gain access to your vehicle and steal it without having your key, complete with its unique serial number.
2. Improved Functionality
Although transponder keys are unparalleled in terms of security, they also offer other advantages, such as the convenience of being able to execute specific tasks from a close range. This includes being able to lock and unlock the vehicle with a push of the button.
It also has a built-in security mechanism that uses a code to alert you if someone tries to break in.
Since each key is made to precisely match its paired vehicle, it is hard to duplicate and, more crucially, impossible to acquire without the matching transponder.
3. Unique to the Car which It Unlocks
One major advantage is that these keys can never be duplicated. Its signal is unique to the car which unlocks. The signal sent by a transponder is specific to the vehicle it is used to unlock, meaning that a stolen transponder cannot be used to gain access to any other vehicles. However, standard keys that lack this technology can usually be used to open a variety of vehicles.
You can, however, get a backup from the manufacturer in case of emergencies. Each of these keys is made to fit a certain model of automobile. That’s why every car needs its own unique transponder key to start.
4. Remote Access and Central Lock
Transponder keys’ ability to grant remote access to automobiles is another obvious advantage. As its name implies, a transponder combines the functions of a transmitter and a receiver. Some people refer to keys like this as chip keys since they incorporate an electronic microchip in the key’s head.
Benefits of remote operation include being able to lock and unlock doors centrally and finding your automobile with the push of a button if you press the panic button. You can lock every door in your car with only one button push thanks to the central locking features. When you use your central locking features, your car’s alarm is almost certainly also going to be armed.
5. Durability
Some transponder keys are extremely reliable and rarely malfunction. They are more expensive to replace or obtain a copy of in part because of this, but it is worthwhile. Consider how frequently you throw your keys onto the counter, drop them on the ground, or tuck them away in your pocket or handbag. Transponder keys are resistant to the everyday damage that is done to a regular set of keys.
The internal battery is built to survive for years, but can be swapped out by any competent locksmith. Moreover, the embedded microchip is of premium grade and built to outlast the vehicle itself. If you don’t obtain a defective model, you probably won’t have to replace it for a very long time.
6. Easily Replaceable
In case you misplace the key, a professional locksmith can cut you a new one quickly and easily. To make the best copy of your key, however, your locksmith should be knowledgeable with transponder keys. Unless it is lost, your transponder key can remain functional for a long time.
You can also get a replacement transponder key immediately from your car dealer or an authorized service shop.
7. Easy to Use
The days of searching for your car after leaving a store while fumbling with your keys are long gone. To run errands, all you need to do is make sure the key is in your pocket or handbag. Without ever needing to be inserted or having any buttons touched, the transponder key merely needs to be put close to the door locks and ignition to function.
In Conclusion
A car is a valuable asset, and its security is of the utmost importance. As a result of its proven anti-theft features, a transponder key is worth the investment. You can be confident that your vehicle will be safer with this key. You also don’t need to be concerned if you still use traditional car keys. You can upgrade your car’s lock system to make it more secure, long-lasting, and simple to use.
Author’s bio
Kathleen is a passionate content writer who loves to write on home and travel. She has been serving the industry for quite some time now. She always uses Elite Locksmiths services.
