Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than simply shaping an object of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you turn the key. The onboard computer reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.

The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle that is required to operate the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a variety of affordable automobiles as well.

Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that can only be found at some locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

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

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to nearest key cutting blades so that when the key is turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module could start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.

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

This is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed, the mobile key cutting may have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that's often jostled in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships and extended warranties will cover the cost of an additional fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose it. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer getting a key cut near me quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is get a car key cut near me single piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have new keys made from the blank.

There are several options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these advanced features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only effective when you're within a certain distance.

If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine that is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.

Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with 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 add extra protection to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.