What's a Laser-Cut Key, Actually?
"Laser cut" is the common name for what locksmiths call a sidewinder or internal cut key. Instead of having traditional jagged cuts along the edges (like a house key), the cuts are milled into a groove running down the middle of the key blade. It's not actually cut with a laser — it's cut with a high-precision CNC milling machine. The "laser" name stuck because the cuts look extremely precise.
These keys started appearing on luxury vehicles in the early 2000s and are now standard equipment on:
- Most current BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW (since the mid-2000s)
- Most current Lexus, Toyota high-end models, Acura, Infiniti
- Cadillac, Lincoln, and many GM luxury / current SUV models
- Ford F-150 (since 2015), Mustang, Edge, and most current Fords
- Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and other current Stellantis vehicles
- Tesla, Range Rover, Volvo, and most other modern brands
- Many push-to-start vehicles use a laser-cut emergency blade hidden in the smart fob
Why Laser Cut Keys Are More Secure
- Much harder to pick — The sidewinder cut pattern requires sliders rather than pins, defeating most pick attempts
- Cannot be copied on standard hardware-store machines — Requires specialty CNC equipment
- Higher dimensional precision — Less mechanical play means less wear and more reliable operation
- Reversible insertion — Most laser-cut keys can be inserted either side up, a small but appreciated convenience
Why You Need a Specialty Locksmith For These
Not every locksmith can cut these keys. Cutting a laser-cut key requires:
- A CNC sidewinder cutting machine — Several thousand dollars of specialty equipment, not the standard duplicating machines at hardware stores
- The right key blanks — Brand-specific milled blanks, expensive to stock
- Code-cutting software — Modern laser-cut keys are typically cut by code (from the VIN), not by tracing an existing key
- Programming equipment — Almost all laser-cut keys have transponder chips that require pairing to the vehicle
Auburn Lock & Car Keys has all of the above. We cut and program laser-cut keys on-site for most vehicles. Call (253) 796-8550.
