Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.

The microchip inside your car key transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive key cutting near me retailers like AutoZone. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.

You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a variety of affordable cars too.

Another kind of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at some locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular Emergency key cutting that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as used in modern smart getting keys cut. It is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades so that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires within the ignition, and, over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough of the wires are broken, the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.

You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are visible 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 good way to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start a 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 remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking lot or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends much of its time in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One way to protect a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover 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 hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.

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

Traditional Keys

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

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys, there are several different options available for you to select from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that are specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

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

If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks and doors.

Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. laser car key cutting service near me cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.