Car Key Cutting Explained

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

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

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer in the car is able to verify the serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle, as they would need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. They can also be purchased at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. They have a huge variety of keys, and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.

You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is most commonly found in luxury cars, but is now available on many affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at some locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before the days of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition the coded signal is sent 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 will start to run. This doesn't make a car key cutting near me prices secure from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

After a lot of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved each time the key is inserted. As time passes, the wires may start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key with the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and see whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start a car. They can also be an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking space and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key cut place near me fob. It's a huge price for a device that's frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.

One way to protect the smart key fob is to store it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a case that is protected each time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships or extended warranties, will pay for an additional fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.

For the majority of drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any case you should have an extra fob or key in case in case you lose it. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal that has grooves cut new car key near me into it to fit a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key cutting services near me is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.

You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others employ laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these advanced features that come with modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key is used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the distance of your vehicle.

If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can make the new key using the standard cutter machine, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.