Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will require a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the handle of your key that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car key cutting and programming reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car key cutting open now transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle, which is required to operate the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting [find out this here] machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles but is now accessible on many affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft, but it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module could begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each when the key is introduced. Over time, the wires may begin to break. Once enough of the wires break then the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS code. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal hanging out on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance of your key.

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

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the car. They can also be an alarm system and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional features can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that is often time jostled around in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats 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 by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One way to protect a smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store who offers key fob cloning.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key cut place fob is contingent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep a spare car key cutting near me fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd buy from the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by a remote key or smart key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have new keys cut from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you had your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to pick from when it comes to getting another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features.

Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within the distance of your car.

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

Another alternative is to get your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for those looking to enhance the security of their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.