Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming the metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The onboard computer scans the digital serial numbers inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car key transmits an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths that offer these services can create car keys with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in choosing the right one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip that is required to operate the device.

You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than 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 using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles, but is now available on a variety of affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those present on modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and, over time, the wires can start to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.

The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.

This is also a great way to test a new key to see if it will work in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that many owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. That's a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that is often time jostled around in purses and pockets where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its case that is protected each time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. You should always keep a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. They can open your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your key from the past is lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have new keys cut from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you got your keys cut, there are several different options to select from when it comes to getting a key cut near me another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser cut car keys near me-cut with security features that are enhanced.

Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within certain distance.

If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could make a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.

Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to enhance the security of their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't receive the signals from the key, and will not start.