Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than just shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.

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

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are in the handle of the key and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you turn the key. The onboard computer examines the serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip in 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 code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can make car keys with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a large variety of keys, and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.

There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars, but is now available on many affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not designed to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS keys cut

Before transponder keys and 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 pellet of resistance embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet black in the center of the VATS key isn't a chip like those found on modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted 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 start to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each when the key is inserted. Over time, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires are broken, the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal visible on both sides of the key. Then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance value of your key.

This is a great method to test out a new key and check if it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. They are also a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your car in a lot or call it up by pressing a button. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high price to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart nearest key cutting fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.

One method of protecting the smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you must take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the protective case.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

The decision to buy a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event, you should always have a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than you'd pay at 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 a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, provided you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost it is necessary to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.

There are several options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.

Some of these features that come with the modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only function when you're within a certain distance.

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

You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to secure their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key cutter and won't be able to start.