Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than just shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees 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'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built within the last 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These chips are small microchips inside the handle of your key which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car examines the digital serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. They have a vast variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip which is needed for the device to function.

You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end cars however, it is now available on many 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 in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those found on most modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.

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

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

You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key with the multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal visible on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a new key and determine whether it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start cars. They also function as a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot, laser key cutting or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. This is more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that spends much of its time snagging around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

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

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

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any case you should have an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. We also offer an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been lost, laser key cutting damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith key cutting to get new keys made from the blank.

You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features.

Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a certain range of your car.

If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.

Another alternative is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.