Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of the keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These chips are small microchips in the key's handle which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer on board detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.

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

Locksmiths who provide these services can create car keys with chips. Some automotive key cutting near me retailers such as AutoZone offer them. They have a huge variety of keys, and can assist you in choosing the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle, which is required to use the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars, but is now available on a variety of affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not meant to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached them to key blades in a way that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to 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 will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every time the key is placed. As time passes the wires can start to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.

This method is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your vehicle in a parking lot and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge price to pay for a device that is frequently tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as 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 key fob's RFID is to store it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the protective case.

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 cloned by a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

The decision of whether to buy an additional fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can open your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.

There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut new car key near me using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.

Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for automotive key cutting near me thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within a certain range of your car.

If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design a new key with the standard cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.

You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to add extra protection to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key, and will not start.