Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips located in the handle of your key which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.

The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They are also available at certain automotive key cutting near me stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your car's chip which is needed to operate the device.

laser car key cutting service near me cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is most common in high-end cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another kind of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not meant to. These keys are costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys or cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine begins to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module could begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every time a key is placed. Over time the wires can start to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This can also be a good method to test the new key to determine if it will work in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start cars. They are also used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a steep cost to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter near.

One way to protect the smart key fob is to store it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the protective case.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them by a remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it must be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith key cutting to have an alternative one made from the blank.

You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key is used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within a specific distance.

If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk, locks, and doors.

You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to safeguard their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the motorcycle key cutting and won't be able to start.