Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or nearby even have it break in the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips inside the handle of your key that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer examines the serial number digitally of the chip before it allows the car to begin. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle, as they would 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. The radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits instructions to the onboard computer of the car key cut near me. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the best one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip which is needed for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in a wide range of low-cost cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent 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 located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that 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 used to start the car. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on in 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 isn't a way to make a car safe from theft however it can delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every time the key is introduced. As time passes the wires could start to break. When enough wires break 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. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This is a great way to test out a new key and determine if it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that most owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that spends much of its time in pockets and purses, where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.

One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you have to remove your key fob every time you take it out of the protective case.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.

The decision of whether to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event you should have a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can unlock your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by a remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.

Depending on how long has passed since the last time you had your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to select from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within the distance of your car.

If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can make a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.

Another alternative is to get your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.