Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than just forming an object of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.

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

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer onboard is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to begin. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to make it work.

Laser cut keys are more secure than 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 specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a variety of affordable cars too.

Another kind of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key cutting business. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS keys cut in my area

Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys, it's simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in getting a new car key cut VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof, but it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires can start to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.

The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. They are also a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to assist you in finding your car in a lot or call it up by pressing a button. This is more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that spends much of its time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it is easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if you must remove your key fob every time you want to use it from the case.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages 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 cloned by a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

For most drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. Always keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can open your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it must be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.

You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.

Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within the distance of your vehicle.

If you decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard mobile key cutting service cutting machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you can still operate your locks, trunk and doors.

Another alternative is to get your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to protect their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key and won't start.