Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the last 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are tiny located in the handle of your key that transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer on board reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car keys transmits an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the mobile car key cutting near me. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. They have a vast range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.

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

Another type of key for cars 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 with one of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key cutting key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to verify that the correct key was used to start the cheap car key cutting. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every time a key is placed. As time passes the wires could start to break. Once enough of the wires break the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the cheap car key cutting.

You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using the 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 method can also be a good method to test the new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They are also an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge cost to pay for a device that is often jostled in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.

To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if you must remove your key fob every time you take it out of the protective case.

Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can cover the cost of replacing the fob or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

The decision to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition to start the car. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.

Depending on how long has passed since you last had your keys cut, there are several different options available for you to choose from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.

Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only function only when you're within a specific distance.

If you decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could create a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.

You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser car key cutting service near me cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to add extra protection to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.