Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping the metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your car key cut at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips inside the handle of your key which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer checks the serial number digitally of the chip prior to giving the car permission to start. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a 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.

Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. They have a vast selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle, which is required for the device to function.

There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional 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 with specialized software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.

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 blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as 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 located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades so that, when the key was turned on, 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 begins to run. This isn't a way to make a car safe from theft, but it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each when the key is inserted. Over time, the wires may begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.

You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your 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. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key Cut service, then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.

This method is also a great way to test a new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise, the key may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start cars. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking space, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high price to pay for a product that is often tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect 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 through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.

To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a case that is protected each time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto key cutting machine club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new car dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.

For most drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

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

Depending on how much time has passed since you last got your keys cut There are many alternatives to choose from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Some of these advanced features that come with modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to 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 opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

You can also replace your traditional car keys 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 designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals transmitted by the key.