Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and Spare Car Keys Cut longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. You will 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 is likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer in the car examines the digital serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip inside your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car key cutting machine. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some car dealers, clone like AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip which is needed to use the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in a wide range of low-cost cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not meant to. These keys are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as 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. They connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to the 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 safe from theft, but it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use, the VATS module can begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires can begin to break. Once enough of the wires are broken the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.

You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal hanging out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key.

This method is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a lot or summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features can mean that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a huge price to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.

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

Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships or extended warranties can pay for a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also avoid paying new-car keys cut near me dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.

The decision to purchase a new fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys will open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the car. If your car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.

There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.

If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't start.