Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming an object of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.

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

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips located in the handle of your key cutting cost that send a signal to the vehicle'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's the correct one. This stops thieves from stealing your car key cutting price because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.

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

Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip which is needed to operate the device.

You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now being used in many affordable models of cars as well.

Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key cut place near me. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance.

GM used 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 the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If it 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 safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires can begin to break. Once enough of the wires are broken the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.

You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance value of your key.

This method can also be a good method to test a new key to see whether it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start cars. They are also a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to assist you in finding your car in a lot or summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functions. They also have to be programmed by a dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends much of its time in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

One method of protecting a smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a case that is protected each time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. Always keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it must be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.

Depending on how long has passed since the last time you had your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.

Some of these advanced features that come with modern-day keys include encryption and other security 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 into the keys to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific range of your car.

If you decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

Another alternative is to get your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.