Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle, you will require a replacement car key cutting key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built in the last 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are tiny microchips located in the key's handle that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car checks the serial number digitally of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.

The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Locksmiths who offer these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in choosing the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip, which is required to operate the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in a variety of affordable automobiles as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as present on modern keys. It is merely a block or carbon that is sized to hold an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time a key is placed. Over time, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires break the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.

The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key cutting places [Rngland explained in a blog post].

This is also a great way to test the new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed, the local key cutting may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They are also used as a security device and security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that is often 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 protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

One method of protecting a 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 protective case every time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and 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 avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

The decision to purchase a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car key cutting service's keyless start and entry functions. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose it. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you would buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it must be physically put into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.

You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to start your car which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a specific range of your car.

If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk, locks and doors.

Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version that has a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to secure their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key, and will not start.