Blank Key - An uncut key. In the case of transponder keys, a key that is both uncut and unprogrammed.

Car Door Lock Rekey – [service] If your car keys are lost or stolen a locksmith can rekey you car doors.

Chip Key - see Transponder Key

Cylinder - The part in a lock that turns when you turn your key inside it. It activates the locking mechanism. Can be changed without changing the entire lock for purposes of re-keying.

Cylinder Lock - The part of the key where the key fits into

Electronic Chip Key - see Transponder Key

Electronic/Engine Control Unit (ECU) – [also known as an Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Unit/Module (PCU, PCM)]. An electronic unit, which controls both an engine and a transmission. See also Transponder Key

High Security Keys - Keys that have to be cut by a special laser machine.

Ignition Rekey – [service] If your car keys are lost or stolen a locksmith can rekey your ignition to prevent someone from using the previous key.

Ignition Repair – [service] When you have slight damages to your ignition a locksmith can repair your ignition using special tools.

Immobilizer - An electronic anti-theft device, which requires the correct key in order for the engine to run.

Key Cutting - [service] Create a new key; not to be confused with key duplication.

Key Duplication - [service] make a copy of an existing key; not to be confused with cutting a key.

Key Reconstruction - [service] create a key to match an existing lock when all original keys have been lost.

Keyless Entry - Allows a driver to access his/her car without manually unlocking the door. When both the sensors within the car and the key fob are close to each other, they communicate and the doors are opened. When the driver gets in, the key fob is again automatically sensed and the ignition can be started by pressing a button.

Laser Key - A key cut using a special laser cutting machine. Cannot be duplicated on regular duplicating machines. Not all locksmiths carry laser cutting technology. Also contains an electronic chip that must be programmed (similar to transponder keys).

Recoding – [service] Modifies the lock, such that it can only be opened with a key that is cut differently. The old key no longer works.

Re-Keying - [service] Manipulate a lock so that different keys open it.

Remote Control - An electrical circuit in the keyhead, which allows you to open the car doors remotely. It is fully independent from the transponder chip that is often also present in the head of modern keys.

Transmitter Code Linking (TCL) - With TCL, each driver's transmitter can be code-linked to an auxiliary channel.

Transponder Key - (also known as Chip Key or Electronic Chip Key) A vehicle key with an electronic chip lodged in the head. The chip has a code that the car is programmed to recognize. Without a correctly programmed chip in the key, the ignition will not start.

Vehicle Anti Theft System (VATS) keys - Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) - A number uniquely assigned to every car for identification purposes. As an additional identification and anti-heft measure, many cars also have the VIN etched onto the windows. This is to ensure that a stolen car would still be identifiable if the registration plates were changed.

Transponder Key More Info - A key containing a transponder chip (in the keyhead) which communicates with the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the car. Only when the transponder chip transmits the correct code the car's immobilizer is deactivated and the car can be used. Virtually all cars from 1996 use transponder keys.

In the immediate vicinity of the ignition lock there is the antenna of the ECU. When the transponder chip is in the field of antenna, the code can be transmitted. The transponder chip does not need a battery, but is activated by the antenna field.