Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. You'll require a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer on board scans the digital serial numbers inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.

The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the cheap car key cutting near me. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a huge variety of keys, and can assist you in choosing the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle which is needed to operate the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser cut car keys near me mobile key cutting cutting machines or special software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now available in a variety of affordable cars too.

Another type of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to prevent 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 is only found at some locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected the key blades to them so that, when the key is turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal is in line with 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 burglar-proof, but it can delay a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every time the key is inserted. As time passes the wires could begin to break. When enough wires break then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.

The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.

This is also a good way to test the new key to determine whether it will work in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners aren't aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge cost to get car key cut to pay for a device that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.

One way to protect the smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a case that is protected each time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and 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 save money on new car dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.

For most drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. Always keep a spare key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you'd pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition to start the car. If your key from the past is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.

Depending on how much time has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of options available for you to select from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these modern features that come with the modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key cutting Locksmith Near me and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only work only when you're within certain distance.

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

You could also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, [Redirect Only] and they're a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals from the key and won't be able to start.