How to tell if I have a transponder key (Jeep Liberty 2004)

Factual Questions
1

I need to get a spare set of keys for my 2004 Jeep Liberty. Now comes the stupid question:

How do I know if I need a transponder key or just a key? A coworker had a Dodge truck he bought at the same time and our keys looked identical. He had his duplicated at a hardware store and they worked perfectly.

But in looking up 2004 Liberty keys, I see transponder keys. Would they have put out some with and some without? I also saw a reference to the color of the key mattering (mine’s black).

And yes, I am exactly this ignorant when it comes to cars. Help!

2

For Chryslers of that era, “SKIM” (transponder) keys came with medium gray rubber heads. non-SKIM keys are black.

ETA: this is a SKIM key from my 2004 Dodge:

http://home.comcast.net/~jz78817/stuff/key.JPG

3

You rock. Thank you.

I never thought I’d be so pleased to have a black head, but there it is.

4

Any place that cuts keys will have a transponder detector. They should automatically check before cutting the key.

If the key does in fact have a transponder, copies can still be made that will open doors, they just won’t start the engine.