Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, efficiency and the 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 need to have a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built within the past 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer examines the serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to start. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip in your car key transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to make it work.

You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 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 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 key cutting service secure from burglary however, it can deter thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires could start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.

The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key with a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test out a new key and see whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition 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 do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They also function as an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functions. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high price for a device that is frequently tossed around in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near.

One way to protect the smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob each time you take it out of the protective case.

Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will pay for a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store who offers key fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any event you should have a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you would buy from the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get keys cut new keys cut from the blank.

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you had your keys cut, there are several different options to choose from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.

Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are embedded into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within a specific distance.

If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new key with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for people who want to provide extra security to their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals from the key, and will not start.