Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, efficiency and the longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. You'll need a replacement cheap car key cutting key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed in the last 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip inside your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car key cutting cost. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to use it.

You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before the days of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something 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 being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is merely a block or carbon that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal is in line with 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 isn't a way to make a car theft proof however it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time the key is placed. As time passes, the wires may start to break. When enough wires break the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.

This is a great method to test a brand new key and see if it works in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends much of its time in purses and pockets, where it can be easily dropped, damaged or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.

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 case that is protected each time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new car dealer fees and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.

For most drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. Always keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, provided you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it has to be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.

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

Some of these features that come with modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only function only when you're within a specific distance.

If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a sidewinder key cutting fob, or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.

Another alternative is to have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those who want to safeguard their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't receive the signals coming from the key, and will not start.