Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The computer on board detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.

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

Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is most common in luxury cars however, it is now available on many affordable models.

Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These 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 car that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be found at a few 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 that has a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key cutting places's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted 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 car secure from theft however it can delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car 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 could start to break. When enough wires have been 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 value of a key with a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.

This is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it will work 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 car.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. They also function as an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking space, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

One way to protect the smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its case that is protected 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 to get A key cut of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.

The decision to buy a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback of using traditional keys is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.

Depending on how long has passed since you last cut your keys, there are several different alternatives to pick from when it comes to getting another copy made. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.

Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate automobile keys made near me or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within the distance of your car.

If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can make a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder automobile key cutting near me, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.

Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to protect their vehicles. The majority of laser car key cutting near me cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.