Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured within the past 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are in the handle of the key and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The onboard computer reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the correct 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 transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to use it.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in many affordable models of automobiles as well.

Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys and cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip like those present on modern keys cut in my area. It's just a block or carbon that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades so that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from theft, but it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage 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 start to break. When enough wires are broken then the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS mobile key cutting. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal hanging out on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance of your key.

This is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it works in your cheap car key cutting. Make sure you 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 work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They also function as an alarm system and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to store it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you have to take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the protective case.

Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will cover the cost of a replacement fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also save money on new-car dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.

The decision to purchase an additional fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, provided you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.

You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features.

Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your car, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within a certain range of your car.

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

Another option is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those looking to add extra protection to their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals from the key, and will not start.