Car Key Cutting Explained

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

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. 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 stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car keys transmits an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and laser key cutting other methods of taking cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can assist you in programming your car's chip that is required to use the device.

You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much 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 vehicles but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those present in modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades so that when the key is turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message 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 a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a lot of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every time the key is inserted. Over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

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

This method can also be a good method to test a new key to see whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and Laser key cutting start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functions. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a steep price for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One method to safeguard the smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if must remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the protective case.

Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranties can pay for an additional fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on new car dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case it is advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case you lose it. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith laser cut keys near me to have new keys made from the blank.

There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.

Some of these features that come with modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are an additional security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within certain distance.

If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key cutting services near me fob or a transponder, and you can still operate your trunk, locks, and doors.

You can also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to protect their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.