Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than just forming the metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, efficiency and the longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips located in the handle of your key which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car key transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They are also available at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a vast range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys because they have locks that are harder to pick. 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, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before the advent of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the mobile car key cutter's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle secure from theft however it will delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires could begin to break. Once enough of the wires break, the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

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 using a multimeter. 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 opportunity to test a new key and see if it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry or summon it by pressing a button. That's a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that spends much of its time in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter nearby.

To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if must take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the protective case.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for cut car keys the lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or Cut Car Keys hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.

The decision to purchase a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event you should have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you would buy from the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get car key cut new keys made from the blank.

Depending on how long has passed since you last had your keys cut There are many options to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Some keys are cut car Keys using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.

Some of these advanced features that come with modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only function only when you're within certain distance.

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

You can also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, 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 chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.