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Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be purchased at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle, which is required for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser emergency key cutting cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in many affordable models of cars too.

Another type of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not meant to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those used in modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a vehicle theft proof, but it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and, over time, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires break then the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.

You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. 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 is a great method to test a brand new key and determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

key cut near me open now fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the car. They can also be used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you find your car in a parking space and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a high price for a device that is frequently tossed around in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you have to remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the protective case.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.

For the majority of drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case, you should always have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Getting Keys Cut

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. They can unlock your locks and start the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.

There are several options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you cut your keys. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.

Some of these advanced features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only work when you're within a certain distance.

If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

Another alternative is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those who want to safeguard their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals transmitted by the key cutting price.