# Why the change to 'incused' car keys **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 23, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-change-to-incused-car-keys/710716 "2015-01-23T21:23:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-change-to-incused-car-keys/710716/1 "2015-01-23T21:23:05Z")
I know that ‘incused’ is not a good word, but it looks similar. [For example.](https://www.google.com/search?q=why+flip+style+car+keys&safe=strict&biw=1241&bih=939&noj=1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=d7rCVJuTN8yzggTZtYCwAQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg#imgdii=_&imgrc=evMqUlUIa35v1M%253A%3Bt0MhLmU5ThK8RM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.bigcommerce.com%252Fserver3900%252F8c07e%252Fproduct_images%252Fuploaded_images%252Fgm-flip-key.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.customradiobuffalo.com%252Fgm-flip-key-module%252F%3B855%3B380). I figure that since key fobs are often bigger to contain all the goodies inside, that it saves space to have a folding key–but why the change in the actual key design from, for example, something like [this?](https://www.google.com/search?q=car+key&safe=strict&biw=1241&bih=939&noj=1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=WrvCVN_iGYOigwTY3IHIDw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ#imgdii=_&imgrc=i6cFIli9tQxiNM%253A%3B8WlJbtO0oxTJpM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.denverlocksmithpros.net%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F09%252Fcar-keys-Denver-Colorado.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.denverlocksmithpros.net%252Fcar-key-replacement-spare.html%3B500%3B278) ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-change-to-incused-car-keys/710716/2 "2015-01-23T21:35:38Z")
First guess: Cheaper to make. Multiplied by however many are produced = $$$ savigns for the auto manufacturers. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-change-to-incused-car-keys/710716/3 "2015-01-23T21:38:56Z")
If your fob is separate from your key you have to somehow keep them together so you have them both with you if you need them. I have a 2010 Tundra with a separate fob and it’s a pain to have to lug it around in addition to the large key. My wife’s 2015 4Runner has the combination key and fob and that’s easier for me to carry, and lighter in my pocket, than my truck’s key plus separate fob. I don’t see any advantage to having them separate and I’m pleased that someone finally figured that out. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-change-to-incused-car-keys/710716/4 "2015-01-23T21:50:58Z")
I had to go back and forth between the two pictures several times to figure out what you were talking about, but I believe you’re asking about the pattern on the metal part of the key itself, as opposed to anything to do with the fob or flipping. If so, the industry term is “[laser cut keys](http://locksmith-dallas.us.com/the-difference-between-regular-keys-and-laser-cut-keys/).” > [@](#): > > They are slightly thicker than regular car keys and instead of having notches cut along the side of the key, they feature a winding slit cut at a constant depth running up the center of the key. > > … > > One of the advantages to laser cut car keys is that they are more precise and have higher tolerances than regular keys. As a result, it is more difficult to pick the lock for a laser cut key. Because the machinery needed to duplicate laser keys is so expensive, it is also more difficult to make unauthorized copies of laser cut keys. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-change-to-incused-car-keys/710716/5 "2015-01-23T21:56:16Z")
The VW companies - VW, Porsche and Audi - have been using “switchblade” keys for many years. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-change-to-incused-car-keys/710716/6 "2015-01-23T22:04:42Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > I had to go back and forth between the two pictures several times to figure out what you were talking about, but I believe you’re asking about the pattern on the metal part of the key itself, as opposed to anything to do with the fob or flipping. If so, the industry term is “[laser cut keys](http://locksmith-dallas.us.com/the-difference-between-regular-keys-and-laser-cut-keys/).” Thank you.