Laser-Cut Car Keys Explained
By Mega Lock And Key · MD Locksmith License #394 ·
A laser-cut car key has a wavy groove milled into the flat sides of a thick blade instead of teeth along the edge; it is harder to copy, almost always has a transponder chip, and is cut on a code-cutting machine like the one in a mobile locksmith van.
How to tell if you have one
Look at the blade. A standard key has notches along one or both edges. A laser-cut key is thicker and has a snake-like groove running down the middle of each flat side. Many flip keys and smart-key emergency blades are laser-cut.
| Edge-cut key | Laser-cut key | |
|---|---|---|
| Cuts | Notches along the edge | Groove milled into the sides |
| Copy at a hardware store? | Often | Usually not |
| Chip inside? | Often | Almost always |
| How we cut it | Key machine in the van | Code-cutting machine in the van |
How a replacement is made
- The blade is cut from your key code, from the VIN when the code is available, or by decoding a lock.
- The chip is programmed to the car.
- The key is tested in the doors and the ignition.
See laser-cut key replacement and transponder vs. smart key vs. laser-cut.