Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and durability of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys cut in my area to your car or have them break through the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the last 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These chips are small microchips inside the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.

The microchip inside your car key transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. Some auto key cutting near me dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.

You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of a VATS automotive key cutting is not an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If it matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires can start to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key with the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This is a great method to test a new key and see whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start a car. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot or summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functions. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a steep price to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.

One way to protect the smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if you have to take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the protective case.

Some newer policies such as auto club memberships or extended warranties, will pay for a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.

For most drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. They can open your locks and start your car, assuming you don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.

Depending on how long has passed since you last got your keys cut There are many options to pick from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.

Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within a certain range of your car.

If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could create a new one with a standard key cutting car machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk and doors.

Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for people who want to enhance the security of their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.