Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.

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

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The computer in the car examines the serial number digitally of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.

The microchip inside your car cheapest key cutting near me transmits an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by locksmiths that offer these services. They are also available at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide range of keys and will help you get the right one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip that is required to operate the device.

You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in many affordable models of automobiles as well.

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

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key to ensure 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 starts to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each time a cheap key cutting is inserted. As time passes the wires can begin to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and check if it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start cars. They also function as a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not even know about. 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 allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge price for a product that is often 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 ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to.

To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or use an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a case that is protected each time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

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

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event you should have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and begin 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 to start the car. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.

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

Some of these features that are included in modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the mobile key cutting service to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within the distance of your car.

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

You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who want to secure their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.