Chevrolet Car Key Replacement: What Type of Key Does Your Chevy Use?
Chevrolet has used several key technologies across its model lineup over the decades, and knowing which type your vehicle uses is the first step toward getting a working replacement. Older Chevy trucks and sedans may use a basic double-sided cut key with no electronics. Most models produced after the mid-1990s use a transponder key — a standard-looking key with a small microchip embedded in the head that must be programmed to match your vehicle's immobilizer system. If the chip is absent or unprogrammed, the engine won't start even if the cuts are perfect.
Newer Chevy models — including the Blazer, Equinox, Silverado, Malibu, Traverse, and the Blazer EV — increasingly rely on proximity key fobs and push-button start systems. These smart keys communicate with your vehicle continuously and can lock, unlock, and start the car without ever leaving your pocket. Losing one is stressful, but it doesn't have to mean an expensive dealer trip. Our skilled technicians carry the diagnostic and programming equipment needed to cut and code all of these key types on-site, right there in your driveway or parking lot in Grandview.