Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming an object of metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You will need an alternative car key cut key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The computer onboard examines the serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores offer a wide variety of keys, and can assist you in choosing the best one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key fob cut near me cutting equipment or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of cars as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet that is black located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle theft proof however it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time the key is introduced. As time passes the wires can start to break. Once enough of the wires are broken the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance of your key.

This method can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your car in a lot or activate it by pressing the button. This is more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that is often time snagging around in pockets and purses, which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. 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 remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.

One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you must remove your key fob each time you use it from the case.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.

The decision to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. Always keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car Special Key Cutting is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and start your car, assuming you don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.

Depending on how long has passed since the last time you cut your keys There are many options to choose from when it comes to having another copy made. Some 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 makes sure that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within the distance of your vehicle.

If you decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could make a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.

You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.