Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed in the last 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.

The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell keys with chips. They have a huge variety of keys, and can help you find the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.

There are also laser car key cutting near me [click to find out more] cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable automobiles as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to prevent 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.

Keys to VATS

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

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned on, a coded signal is sent to module. If it matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine begins to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft, but it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period 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 introduced. As time passes the wires can begin to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.

You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal visible on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance value of your key.

This is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not, the automobile key cutting near me may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the car. They also function as a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities can mean that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers cost to get car key cut upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge price to pay for a device that is often jostled in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near.

To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case each time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case, you should always have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. We also offer an easy, fast service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key car cutting is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have new keys made from the blank.

There are several options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only function when you're within a certain distance.

If you decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a 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. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking places to get keys cut near me safeguard their automobiles. keys cut in my area made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.