car key blade cutting Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are small microchips inside the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer checks the serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to begin. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.

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

Locksmiths who provide these services can make keys for cars with chips. They can also be purchased at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. These stores have a wide range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip which is needed to use the device.

You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different 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 vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply a block or carbon that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached them to key blades so that, when the key was turned on, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This isn't a way to make a car safe from theft however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time a key is placed. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key. Then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance value of your key.

This is a great way to test out a new key and see whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. A lot of them come with 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 noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, auto car key cutting near me some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that is often time snagging around in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob each time you use it from the protective case.

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

The decision of whether to buy a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep a spare key or fob in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken, you will need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you got your keys cut, there are several different options available for you to pick from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others employ laser-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key can be used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only effective only when you're within certain distance.

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

Another option is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key, and will not start.