Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, functionality and the longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be installed in cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer onboard examines the serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car keys cut by code. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The mobile car key cutting near me will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your car's chip, which is required to operate the device.

You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models.

Another type of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the 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 does not make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved each when the key is introduced. As time passes the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.

You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. 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 great way to test a new key to see if it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They also function as a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to call it up by pressing a button. This is a lot more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends much of its time in pockets and purses, where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One way to protect a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks 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 of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.

The decision of whether to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case, you should always have a spare car key cutting key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you would pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is a single piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you had your keys cut There are many options to select from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Some of these advanced features that come with modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only function when you're within a certain distance.

If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

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 are a popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.