Car keys with a transponder chip - why?

[jdohe]

What is the purpose of having a transponder chip in a car key? I have heard that it is not that difficult to hot wire a car, and if someone was intending to steal a car, they would not have a problem spending the big $$$ to pay for a locksmith to make a key! I know they can be made from merely a photograph!

Anyway, it is incredibly annoying to have to pay $95 to have a duplicate key made. Seems to me that if it costs that much to make a key, I can live with the "old fashioned" key without a transponder chip. What's next? A camera that scans your retina to start the engine?

[unlisted]

Heh... the transponder or "chip" inside the key is to make hotwiring a vehicle moot- without the correct chip, the car fuel (or something else) is cut off/shut down.

[MacGnG1]

well i needed an extra key just incase i get locked out. so i got them to make a plain key which was only a few bucks and that way i can open my car and get the transponder key and key fob if it gets locked in the car. so it cost less than 5 bucks with tax and i can get into MY OWN CAR without having to spend over 150$ for a transponder key.

[Legion303]

Yes, hotwiring a car is simple. Provided that car is a 1971 Volkswagen. Contrary to what GTA: Chinatown Wars has taught you.

-steve

[thelockpickkid]

You will see just how easy it is to hotwire a car when you look at the back of an igniton, thats if, you are smart enough to even ever get to see the back of an ignition, there is alot of stuff in the way. Even to an unskilled person I doubt a volkswagon would ever be hotwired succesfully, and, you forget, steering locks, without the key in all the modern vehicles, the steering stays locked, or will lock when you turn a corner in the road!!

[UEDan]

Heh... the transponder or "chip" inside the key is to make hotwiring a vehicle moot- without the correct chip, the car fuel (or something else) is cut off/shut down.

Yep, my sister wanted to keep a backup key in her purse but didnt want to pay the huge fee. She now believes me when I say the car wont start with the key(fuel cut off).

[ElAbogado]

What is the purpose of having a transponder chip in a car key? I have heard that it is not that difficult to hot wire a car, and if someone was intending to steal a car, they would not have a problem spending the big $$$ to pay for a locksmith to make a key! I know they can be made from merely a photograph!

Anyway, it is incredibly annoying to have to pay $95 to have a duplicate key made. Seems to me that if it costs that much to make a key, I can live with the "old fashioned" key without a transponder chip. What's next? A camera that scans your retina to start the engine?

Transponders are here to stay. I have heard that they were introduced after pressure from the insurance industry over rising theft claims. Personally, I don't believe anything the insurance industry says. They have had break after break, such as mandatory seat belt laws, mandatory helmet laws, mandatory insurance coverage laws, and limitations on liability for such things as being an innocent victim of someone elses negligence while driving in a safe manner while intoxicated, but the insurance rates NEVER go down.

Now, back to transponders... some cars can be on board programmed for a nominal fee, (not $95.00), most can be cloned ($75-125) and some, such as some Toyotas are off the charts if you lose the only working key, as the cars computer must be replaced.

I make lots of money from this system, so of course I like it!

El Abogado

[WOT]

Thread starter,
Do you even understand how they work?

Most modern transponders are RFID based. It operates similarly to electronic building key that you hold a key (called Proxi card) to the reader. The key can be card shaped, or dongle shaped(size of a key chain light).

Some cars use hybrid system which use the regular key to open the door or turn the ignition cylinder and RFID to authorize starting.

Some transponder keys can be commercially duplicated. Some must be added to computer either by using two existing keys and the new key or by using a device to communicate with the computer.

My suggestion is to have TWO keys stored away safely and use the third key for driving. If you lose the third key, you can use the two remaining keys to program a new key.

I think the use of electronic keys will only expand. Building access system already utilize assigning a key to a user, then programming the system to regulate the keys authority. It also allows the building manager to track who entered where. It also allows variable condition authority. For example, the system can be programmed to disable daytime employees' keys outside of their hours.

I think it will become very popular among fleet operators with keys assigned to drivers rather than vehicles. Many public transit vehicles already utilize GPS position tracking, so with integration of RFID key assigned to each driver, it's possible to positively identify who is driving