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Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key 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 built in the past 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are tiny 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 inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car thieves from taking over your vehicle, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Locksmiths that offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can help you program your vehicle's chip that is required for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys come with a resistor 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 it's not designed to. These keys are costly and require the use of a automotive key cutting programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before the advent of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to the 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 doesn't make a car secure from burglary however it could delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires may begin to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.

The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

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

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start cars. They can also be a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking lot and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for something that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to keep it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case each time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships or extended warranties can cover the cost of a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.

The decision of whether to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case, you should always have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old 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 start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional key is that it has to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your car key cutting price is damaged or lost, you will need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys there are a variety of alternatives to select from when it comes to getting a new car key cut another copy made. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to 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 distance of your car.

If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.

Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those looking to secure their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the local key cutting.