Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car key cutting price was built in the past 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are tiny in the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer on board scans the digital serial numbers within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.

The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle that is required to operate the device.

You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles, but is now available on a variety of affordable models.

Another type of car key that is 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 with one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before the days of transponder keys cut near me now as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car safe 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 could start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and over time the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

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

This is a great method to test a brand new key and check if it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock and start the car. They also function as a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge price for a device that is often jostled in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to keep it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case every time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can locksmith cut car keys also save money on 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 an additional key fob is contingent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. Always keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. If you have to buy a new replacement car key cutting, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you'd pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.

You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.

Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only effective only when you're within certain distance.

If you decide to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create a new key with a standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.

Another option is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals transmitted by the key.