Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming an object of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.

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

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key cut service and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car is able to verify the serial number digitally of the chip before it allows the car to start. This prevents car thieves from taking over your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This stops 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. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle which is needed to operate the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles, however it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars too.

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

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It's just a block or carbon that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached them to key blades so that when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This isn't a way to make a car keys cut and programmed safe from theft however it can delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every time the key is inserted. As time passes the wires can start to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.

You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.

This is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start a car. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners aren't aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help locate your car key blade cutting in a parking space and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that's often tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To secure a smart card to protect it, you can place it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you must remove your key fob every time you use it from the protective case.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto key cutting club memberships, and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.

The decision to purchase a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. 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 fit in most vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and open the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.

There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it's been since you cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.

Some of these modern features that come with modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your spare car key cutting (glamorouslengths.com) and make it work only when it's within a specific range of your car.

If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.

You can also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to safeguard their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.