Car Key Cutting Explained

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

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

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The computer on board reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who offer these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be purchased at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. They have a vast range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle that is required to operate the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specially designed software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end vehicles, however it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars as well.

Another kind of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. They are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is simply a block or carbon that is sized to have an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every time the key is inserted. Over time the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires break, the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.

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 value of a key by using the multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key, and 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 the new key to determine whether it works in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or 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 even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional features can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge price for a device that's often jostled in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

To secure a smart card, you can store it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you must take your key fob out every time you want to take it out of the protective case.

Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can cover the cost of replacing the fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep a spare car key cut fob or key on hand in the event that you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. We also offer an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith key cutting to have new keys cut from the blank.

You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser key cutting-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within certain distance.

If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. you can still operate your trunk, locks, and doors.

Another option is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular choice for those who wish to protect their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the motorcycle key cutting and won't be able to start.