Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your cheap car key cutting key or even break it in the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are tiny in the key's handle that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This stops thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. They have a huge range of keys and can help you find the right one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another type of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet black in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted 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 doesn't make a vehicle secure from theft, but it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each when the key is placed. As time passes the wires can start to break. Once enough of the wires are broken, the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.

You can locksmith cut car keys solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This is a great method to test a brand new key and check if it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition 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 today do more than just unlock or start the car. They also function as used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry or summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also require places to get keys cut near me be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that is often time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a case that is protected each time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event you should have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel 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 don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using a traditional key is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made from the blank.

There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within the distance of your vehicle.

If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to secure their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.