Car Key Cutting Explained

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

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the handle of your key that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer examines the serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to begin. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who offer these services can make car keys with chips. They can also be purchased at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys because they have locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines, or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars too.

Another type of car keys cut near me key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not intended to. These keys are expensive and clone require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those found on modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the 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 starts to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof, but it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use 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 with time, the wires may begin to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. All you have 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, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance value of your key.

This can also be a good method to test the new key to determine whether it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key may have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. This is a lot more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that is often time in purses and pockets, clone where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to keep it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the protective case.

Certain policies that are more recent, such as auto club memberships or extended warranties, will pay for a replacement fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

The decision of whether to buy an additional fob is based 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 range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd buy from the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of options to pick from when it comes to getting another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.

Modern keys are equipped with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only function only when you're within a specific distance.

If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.

You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their automobiles. Laser cut keys cut for cars are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.