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Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, functionality and long-term use of the 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'll need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These chips are tiny microchips inside the handle of your key that send signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car examines the serial number of the chip prior to it allows the online car key cutting to begin. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.

The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They are also available at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.

There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars too.

Another kind of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify 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 piece of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned in the ignition, a 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 starts to run. This doesn't make a vehicle theft proof however it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time the key is introduced. Over time the wires can start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance value of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a new key and see whether it will work in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

key cut near me open now fobs of today can do more than unlock or start a car. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities can mean that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that is often time jostled around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.

One method of protecting a smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you must remove your key fob each time you need to use it from the protective case.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case, you should always have an extra fob or key in case in case you lose it. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, provided you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your car key has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.

You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these advanced features that come with modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key car cutting is used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within a specific distance.

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

Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those looking to enhance the security of their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.