Houston Car Locksmith
Automotive Key Guide by
Houston Car Locksmith
Is your car key lost? Are you not sure what key you had? Give us a call at 281-829-8669. We are professional Houston car locksmith.
On this page we will talk about the difference between key types and different types of ignitions. The first car that actually started by turning the key to engage the starter was built in 1949 by Chrysler. Before, the cars did have ignition locks on them, but you would have to turn the key and then push a button to provide power to the starter. However, we are not in the beginning of 20th century and this is not a history class, so lets not go back that far.
Blade Types
3 Main Blade Types
Every manufacture has couple of different keyways that have been replaced over time; however there is still 3 main blade types. Which is Regular, High Security and Tibbe. Regular security is still one of the most common types, but it’s being pushed in to history by high security, also known as laser cut. As of 2020 there is only couple of automotive brands that keep using regular security keys in their vehicles. Pretty much all manufacturers stopped using regular keyway. I would say in couple of years all new vehicles will come with High Security keys. Take a look at the picture, it shows the difference.
Hey, but what about Tibbe key, did you forget about it? Tibbe is pretty much very rare type in the United States, and it’s only been used in older Jaguars and Ford Transit Connects. Example is on the picture created by Houston car locksmith at Car Key Guy.
Ignition Types
Keyless Start / Push Start
Most of you will say that your car doesn’t have an ignition and you don’t even have a key. Well, you do not have one. Your car is equipped with keyless start, which means it stills need a key, but you are good as long as you have your smart key in your pocket or some where close to driver’s location in the vehicle. To start the car you just need to press on the brake pedal and push the start engine button. It actually reminds me of a system that was used before Chrysler’s innovation in 1949. The only difference is that you don’t need to stick the key in as in early 20th century, but you still need to push a button to engage the starter.
Regular / High Security / Tibbe Keyed Ignition
Different key types using same type of ignition. The ignition that requires putting a key in and turning it over to start the engine. It’s still the most common and it’s still being implemented in some new vehicles. At Car Key Guy, our Houston car locksmith can rebuild or replace your ignition in case it’s either damaged or stuck.
Twist Knob Ignition
The least common. The only brands that used this type were Mazda, Nissan and Cadillac. It’s a mix of keyless start and keyed ignition. These vehicles could be started with simply having your smart key and twisting the knob on the ignition with fingers. However, if the smart key stopped working as a backup you could take an emergency key out of smart key, insert it in to the twist knob and turn it as a regular keyed ignition.
Fobik
Fobik keys are only used in Mercedes and Dodge / Chrysler / Jeep vehicles. The actual Fobik remote has to be put in to the WIN / EIS module and turned to start the vehicle.
Which key do you have?
Metal key
Transponder key
Vats Key
Remote Head Key
Flip Key
Smart Key
If you are having a difficulty identifying the key you have or had, give us a call or send us a picture. Houston Car Locksmith will identify it for you, as well as give you a flat rate quote on a replacement car key.
- Repair or Replace Ignitions
- Origination of Automotive Keys
- Key Extraction
- Repair or Replace Automotive Door Locks
- Emergency Trunk Opening
- Rekey Automotive Locks
- Duplicating Automotive Keys
- Programming Automotive Remotes
- Programming Automotive Keys
- Replacement of Car Keys
