Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than just forming the metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built in the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The computer onboard checks the serial number digitally of the chip before it allows the car to start. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle, as they would need 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 that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the right one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. These stores offer a wide variety of keys, and can help you find the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip, which is required to operate the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models.

Another kind of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted 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 begins to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires can start to break. Once enough of the wires break then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.

You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a nearest key cutting with a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.

This is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. This is more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One method of protecting a smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if you have to take your key fob out every time you use it from the case.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost 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 laser key cutting the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event, you should always have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.

There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.

Some of these modern features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a specific distance of your car.

If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith laser cut keys near me can make an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.

Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who want to safeguard their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals generated by the key cut service.