Common questions

A plain metal key is only a shape — cut it correctly and the lock turns. That is most older car keys.

A chipped key, or transponder key, has an electronic chip in the plastic head doing a second job entirely.

Because of the immobilizer. When you turn the key the car asks the chip to identify itself, and without the right answer the engine will not run.

A cut-only copy opens the door and turns the ignition barrel, and the car still sits there.

Then it is refused, and nobody here will override that.

The same goes for restricted and patented systems, and for school, government, hospital, prison or military keys.

Products you buy at the kiosk: a push-to-start fob, a fob battery kit or a hide-a-key box.

It is an output only. When you scan a key to ship, your key stays with you.

A scan of your key, a name and an address. Shipping is 24 hours standard, 48 hours for difficult keys.

For car keys it may also ask for the vehicle, because the part has to match it.

The label is shown before the price, here and on the kiosk. Instant means it is in stock and drops out of the slot; shipped means it is scanned and posted to you.

The screen says which one before you pay.

Not at the kiosk itself. Programming is done at your car by a technician.

Buy the fob with programming and a technician is sent right away, or buy the fob only and book programming later with the order number on your receipt, paid separately.

The shape of the groove running down the blade. It decides which blank fits which lock before the cuts are even considered.

KW1, SC1, WR5, M1 — those codes stamped on the bow are keyways.

A thicker car key blade with a groove milled into the flat face instead of teeth along the edge. Also called a sidewinder.

Laser-cut keys are scanned at the kiosk and shipped.

Then there is nothing to scan.

Lost every car key? Call 877-744-8472 and a technician is dispatched to the car. We do car keys only, never house, office or building keys.