The Next Big Event In The Cut Car Key Industry

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than just shaping the metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, functionality and the longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips inside the key's handle that send an electronic signal places to get keys cut near me the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer checks the serial number digitally of the chip before it allows the car to start. This stops thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell keys with chips. They have a huge range of keys and can help you find the best one for your car. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle that is required to operate the device.

You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is most commonly found in luxury cars, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost to get a key cut models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the car key blade cutting. The black VATS pellet in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it's simply a carbon block properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.

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

After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved each when the key is placed. Over time, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.

The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key with a multimeter. You can find 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 the new key to determine if it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start cars. They also function as an alarm system and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your vehicle in a parking lot and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that's often tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like 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 by another transmitter nearby.

To secure a smart card to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case every time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Some newer policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will pay for a replacement fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

The decision to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep an extra key or fob in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, provided you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional mobile key cutting service has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.

Depending on how much time has passed since you last had your keys cut there are a variety of options to pick from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these modern features that are included in modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your car which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within a specific range of your car.

If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to secure their vehicles. Laser cut new car key near me keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals coming from the key and won't start.