Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car, you will need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built within the last 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car is able to verify the serial number of the chip before it allows the car to begin. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip in your car key transmits an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They are also available at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can help you get car key cut the right one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential to use it.

There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another 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 to any of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not intended 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 transponder key cutting near me keys and vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft, but it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires can start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.

The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test out a new key and check whether it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a lot or activate it by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a steep cost to pay for a product that is often jostled in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.

To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its protective case every time you need to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

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

The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by a remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.

You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've had your keys cut. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.

Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within the range of your car.

If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith laser cut keys near me could create a new one with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

Another option is places to get keys cut near me have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals transmitted by the key.