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Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.

The microchip inside your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell them. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.

You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of the car key cut, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those found on modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades so that when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to 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 begins to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved each time a key is introduced. Over time, the wires may begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

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 of a key by using the multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are hanging 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 new key and see whether it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. They also function as an alarm system and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a lot, 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 functionality also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends much of its time in pockets and purses, where it is easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the case.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.

For most drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event you should have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key cutting car of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys will open your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.

Depending on how long has passed since the last time you got your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to pick from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.

Some of these advanced features that come with modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the distance of your vehicle.

If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks and doors.

You can also replace your standard keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those looking to add extra protection to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.