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Car Key Cutting Explained

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

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through 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 in the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key that transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car examines the serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to begin. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car key transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the right one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a large variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your car's chip that is required to use the device.

You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles however, it is now available on many affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys or cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches 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 does not make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires may start to break. When enough wires break, the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key. Then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance of your key.

key cutting open now can also be a good method to test the new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock and start the car. They can also be a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or activate it by pressing a button. This is more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.





In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high price for a device that's frequently 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 the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case every time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, 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 dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would spend at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

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

There are several options to select from based on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these advanced features that come with modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only function only when you're within certain distance.

If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you can still operate your locks, trunk, and doors.

You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for those looking to add extra protection to their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.