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Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys.

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

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured within the last 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer onboard is able to verify the serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Locksmiths who offer these services can design car keys with chips. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle, which is required to use the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. They are expensive and require a emergency Key cutting programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as 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 that is black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached the key blades to them so that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This isn't a way to make a car theft proof however it can delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time the key is introduced. As time passes the wires can begin to break. Once enough of the 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 issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This method can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you find your car in a parking space or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functions. They also have to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends much of its time snagging around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter nearby.

One way to protect the smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case every time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, 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 avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

For most drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. If you do need 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 approximately 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, provided you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken you'll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.

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

Some of these advanced features that come with the modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within the distance of your vehicle.

If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design the new key using the standard cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.

Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who wish to protect their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.