Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips located in the handle of your key which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer scans the digital serial numbers within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start if the key cut places near me is the right one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. They have a huge selection of keys, and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.

You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), emergency key cutting 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 15 possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not designed to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key cut for car near me with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. 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 is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached the key blades to them so that when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message 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 will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle theft proof however it can delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module could start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and over time the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires break then the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.

You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the car. They are also a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. That's a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high price to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

One way to protect the smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a case that is protected each time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new-cheap car key cutting dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.

The decision to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any case you should have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you'd buy from the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your car key is damaged or lost you'll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last cut your keys there are a variety of alternatives to choose from when it comes to having another copy made. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.

Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only work only when you're within a specific distance.

If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make the new key cut service using a standard cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those looking to secure their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.