Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.

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

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These chips are tiny microchips inside the handle of your key which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start when the motorcycle key cutting near me is the right one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Locksmiths that offer these services can make keys for cars with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. These stores have a wide 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 essential to make it work.

You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is most common in high-end cars however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models.

Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached the key blades to them so that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal 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 vehicle safe from theft however it can delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each when the key is placed. Over time the wires could start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not begin.

The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This method is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time snagging around in pockets and purses, where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place 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 this technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob every time you need to take it out of the protective case.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store who offers key fob cloning.

The decision to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. Always keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you don't replace them with a remote key cutting locksmith near me or smart key. The only drawback to using a traditional key is that it must be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.

You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.

Some of these advanced features that come with modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your car which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that 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 traditional standard key, a locksmith can make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.

You could also replace your traditional keys for your car key cutting and programming near me with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to protect their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.