Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping an object of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips in the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer onboard examines the digital serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.

Locksmiths who offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell keys with chips. They have a vast selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your mobile car key cutting near me. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars as well.

Another type of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at some locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those used on the majority of modern keys. It's just a block or carbon that is sized to have an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached the key blades to them so that when the key was 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 starts to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every when the key is inserted. Over time, the wires may start to break. When enough wires break, 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 solve this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by placing 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 if it will work in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs of today are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. They can also be a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities can mean that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key cut place near me fob. It's a huge price to pay for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.

One method of protecting the key fob's RFID is to put 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 you need to remove your key fob every time you want to take it out of the protective case.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will pay for car key cutting the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith laser cut keys near me which offers key-fob cloning.

The decision to buy a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement car key cutting fobs that fit most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you had your keys cut there are a variety of alternatives to select from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.

Some of these features that come with the modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to start your car, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key 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 can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still 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. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.