Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key cutting near me key or have it break off in the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured within the past 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are in the handle of the key and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The computer onboard checks the serial number digitally of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.

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

Locksmiths who offer these services can make keys for cars with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip, which is required to operate the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades so that, when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to module. If it 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 car safe from theft, but it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved each when the key is placed. Over time the wires could begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.

The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test out a new key and check if it works in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help locate your vehicle in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality can mean that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge cost to pay for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.

One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case each time you need to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

For most drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event, you should always have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys will open your locks and begin your car, provided you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one cut from the blank.

There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.

Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you're within certain distance.

If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk and doors.

You can also replace your standard keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to protect their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't start.