Car Key Cutting Explained

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

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle you'll need to have a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built in the past 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny in the handle of your key that transmit signals to the car key cut near me's onboard computer when you use it. The computer onboard is able to verify the serial number digitally of the chip before giving the car permission to begin. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or cutting car key other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores offer a wide variety of keys, and can help you find the right one for your car. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip that is required to use the device.

You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key Cutting Car key machines, or with specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as 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 as used in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires may begin to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.

This can also be a good method to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the car. They are also used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a lot or summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.

In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time jostled around in purses and pockets, where it is easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.

One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to store it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its case that is protected each time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store 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 entry and start functions. In any case you should have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key is lost or broken it is necessary to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.

There are several choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.

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 that are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.

If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder. you can still operate your trunk, locks, and doors.

Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those looking to enhance the security of their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.