Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming an object of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will require a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.

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

Locksmiths that offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer keys with chips. They have a vast selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip which is needed to operate the device.

There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of automobiles as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module may begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires may start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.

You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key using a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value near by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This is a great way to test a new key and check whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise, the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. 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 a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your car in a parking space and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that is often time in pockets and purses, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

To protect a smart fob, Near by you can store it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a protective case every time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

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

For the majority of drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you lose yours. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you would buy from the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.

There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these modern features that come with modern types of keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only work when you're within a certain distance.

If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk, locks and doors.

Another alternative is to have the traditional car key cut and program near me keys replaced with a laser cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and Near By are a popular choice for people who want to enhance the security of their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals transmitted by the key.