Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built in the past 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They are also available at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip that is required for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but is now available on a variety of affordable models.

Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned on, the mobile key cutting blades transmit a coded message to 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 begins to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft however it can delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car can 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 can begin to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key.

This is a great way to test a brand new key and check whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They can also be a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to summon it by pressing the button. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge price for a device that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.

For most drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case you misplace yours. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than the price you would buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.

Depending on how much time has passed since you last cut your keys there are a variety of alternatives to pick from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser key cutting-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these modern features that are included in modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your car which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to connect 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 make a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key cut place fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are now a popular option for people who want to provide extra security to their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key, and will not start.