Cut vs uncut keys and the emergency blade: what do I order?
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Any key blade that turns a lock or an ignition has to match the car's key code, so a new one is cut to that code. A smart key starts the car electronically, but it still hides a mechanical blade for the door, and that blade has to be cut too.
A separate remote has no blade at all. On those cars the metal key is a second part to order.
Smart key, folding key or separate remote: where the blade is
It depends on the kind of key. Hyundai's owner's manuals show all three:
| Kind of key | The blade | What starts the car | Example part |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart key | A mechanical key slides out of the fob, for the door | The fob, with the START/STOP button | 95440-AA000, 95440-J9000 |
| Folding key | The blade folds into the remote, for the doors and the ignition | The blade, turned in the ignition | 95430-J0700 |
| Separate remote | None: the metal key is a separate part | The separate metal key | 95430-1R300, 95430-2E200, 95430-3K202 |
Partexia shows the OEM key for the VIN, so you know which of the three you are ordering.
Part pages: Hyundai 95440-AA000 · Hyundai 95440-J9000 · Hyundai 95430-J0700 · Hyundai 95430-1R300 · Hyundai 95430-2E200 · Hyundai 95430-3K202
What the emergency blade in a smart key is for
For the door, when the fob stops working. Hyundai's manual: "If the smart key does not operate normally, you can lock or unlock the driver's door by using the mechanical key." On some cars the key cylinder is hidden behind a plastic cover on the driver's door handle, which the mechanical key releases.
The blade does not start a push-button car. With a weak fob battery, Hyundai and Kia both say to press the START/STOP button with the smart key itself.
Kia adds a tip for valet parking: remove the mechanical key for your own use and hand over the electronic key only.
Key codes: how a blade is cut to the car
Every car's locks are coded, and the blade is cut to that code. Kia and Hyundai print the key code number on a tag that comes with the keys: "Should you lose your keys, this number will enable an authorized Kia dealer to duplicate the keys easily." Hyundai's dealers look up the key and immobilizer codes by VIN when they program a new key.
Federal rule FMVSS 114 requires each maker to provide at least 1,000 different key combinations for each type of vehicle.
What to order with each kind of key
- Smart key: the fob, and check that a mechanical key comes with it. When Hyundai sent out second smart keys for the Elantra, they came without a mechanical key; Kia shipped some Seltos with one smart key and two mechanical keys.
- Folding key: one part, remote and blade together. The blade is cut to the car and the remote is programmed to it. Hyundai's manual says to hold the release button while folding the blade back, or the key can be damaged.
- Separate remote: two parts, the remote and a metal key cut to the car. The remote does not start the car.
- Can you cut it? Check before you order an uncut blade. GM found that many dealers had no equipment to cut the laser key blank in a Camaro remote start kit, and some ordered pre-cut keys instead.
Partexia shows the OEM key for the VIN, with a photo, so you can see the blade before you order.
Cut and uncut key questions
- Does a new smart key need to be cut?
- The fob starts the car without cutting, but its mechanical key has to be cut to the car's key code to open the door. Partexia shows the OEM smart key for the VIN.
- What is the emergency key in a key fob for?
- To lock and unlock the door when the fob stops working, for example with a dead battery. Partexia shows whether the OEM key for the VIN is a smart key, a folding key or a separate remote.
- How do I start a push-button car with a dead fob?
- Hyundai and Kia say to press the START/STOP button with the smart key itself. Partexia shows the OEM smart key for the VIN if you need a new one.
- Is a flip key the same as a folding key?
- Yes: a blade that folds into the remote at the press of a button, as Hyundai and Kia describe it. Partexia shows the OEM key for the VIN, with a photo.
- Can a key code be looked up from the VIN?
- Hyundai's dealers look up the key code by VIN, and Kia and Hyundai also print it on a tag that comes with the keys. Partexia gives the OEM key part number for the VIN.
Keys by vehicle
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 keys and key fobsWhich key it takes, and the 2019 LD and 2022 LTD trucks
- Ford F-150 keys and key fobsPush-button start or a key you turn: which key it takes from 2015
- Honda Accord keys and key fobsSmart Entry or a key you turn: why the trim decides, not the year
- Honda CR-V keys and key fobsSmart entry remote or a key you turn: the trim decides, not the year
- Jeep Grand Cherokee keys and key fobsWhich key it takes, and the 2022 Grand Cherokee WK vs the new WL
- Nissan Rogue keys and key fobsWhich key it takes, and the 2014-2015 Rogue Select vs the new Rogue
- Ram 1500 keys and key fobsWhich key it takes, and the 2019-2024 Classic vs the new truck
- Toyota Camry keys and key fobsPush-button start or a key you turn, and which key that means
- Toyota Corolla keys and key fobsSmart key or a key you turn, and the Hatchback and Corolla Cross
- Toyota RAV4 keys and key fobsPush-button start or a key you turn, and how to tell which key yours takes
Key part numbers in this guide
- Hyundai 95440-AA000Smart key for the 2021-2023 Elantra, 433.92 MHz, 5 buttons
- Hyundai 95440-J9000Smart key for the 2018-2019 Kona, 433.92 MHz, 4 buttons
- Hyundai 95430-J0700Folding key remote for the 2018-2021 Accent, 433.92 MHz, 4 buttons
- Hyundai 95430-1R300Separate keyless entry remote for the 2014-2017 Accent, 433.92 MHz
- Hyundai 95430-2E200Separate keyless entry remote for the 2005-2008 Tucson, 313.85 MHz
- Hyundai 95430-3K202Separate keyless entry remote for the 2008-2010 Sonata and 2009 Elantra, 313.85 MHz
More key guides
- How to find the OEM key part number from a VINWhat the VIN tells you, and why year and model are not enough
- Smart key vs Fobik vs transponder keyWhich kind of key your car takes, told from the ignition
- Does my car have push-button start?How to check in a minute, and what the button means for your key
- Can a new key fob add remote start?Why the button on the fob is not the feature, and what does add it
- Two vehicles under one nameRam 1500 Classic, Silverado LD, Wrangler JK vs JL, Grand Cherokee WK vs WL, Rogue Select
- OEM vs aftermarket key fobsWhat the FCC ID on a fob tells you, and what to check before you buy
- 315 MHz vs 433 MHz key fobsWhich frequency a fob uses, and how to read it from the FCC ID
Sources
- Hyundai Motor America, 2021 Hyundai Elantra Owner's ManualFor: the smart key's mechanical key, and the remote key's folding blade (pages 5-4 to 5-13)
- Hyundai Motor America, 2016 Hyundai Accent Owner's ManualFor: the separate transmitter and ignition key, and the key code number (pages 4-3 to 4-6)
- Hyundai Motor Company, 2025 Hyundai Tucson Owner's Manual: Smart keyFor: the mechanical key in the smart key, the hidden door key cylinder, and the limit of two smart keys
- Hyundai Motor Company, 2025 Hyundai Tucson Owner's Manual: Engine Start/Stop buttonFor: pressing the start button with the smart key when its battery is weak
- Hyundai Motor Company, 2025 Hyundai Tucson Owner's Manual: Remote keyFor: folding the key back with the release button pressed
- Kia, 2024 Kia Sportage Owner's Manual: Smart key, mechanical keyFor: the mechanical key, and handing a parking attendant the electronic key only
- Kia, 2024 Kia Sportage Owner's Manual: Starting the engine with smart keyFor: pressing the START/STOP button with the smart key
- Kia, 2024 Kia Sportage Owner's Manual: KeysFor: the key code number, and Kia's warning to use only Kia original parts for the ignition key
- Hyundai Motor America (filed with NHTSA), Technical Service Bulletin 23-01-016H, "Vehicle Shipped With One Smart Key (Service Campaign 988)", February 2023For: Elantra N smart key part numbers by remote start, key code saving by VIN, pairing, and the second fob without its mechanical key
- Kia America (filed with NHTSA), Kia Technical Service Bulletin 097 (Seltos smart keys), July 2022For: Seltos shipped with one smart key and two mechanical keys
- General Motors (filed with NHTSA), Preliminary Information PIC5299A, "GM Accessories Remote Vehicle Start Kit Missing Transmitters", December 2012For: laser key blanks that many dealers could not cut, and pre-cut keys
- eCFR (NHTSA rule), 49 CFR 571.114, Standard No. 114: Theft protection and rollaway preventionFor: what counts as a key, and at least 1,000 key combinations per vehicle type