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Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed in the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are in the handle of the key and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The computer onboard examines the serial number of the chip before allowing the car to start. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.

The microchip in your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. Some auto 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 help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.

There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature 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 intended to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

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

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft however it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time a key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may start to break. When automotive key cutting are broken, the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.

The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This is a great way to test out a new key and determine whether it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the car. They can also be used as a security device and security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your vehicle in a parking lot and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. car key cutting price 's a steep price for a device that's often jostled in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

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

Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent 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 misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. They can open your locks and begin your car, provided you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional key is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one cut from the blank.

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys There are many options to choose from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.

Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within a specific distance.

If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design the new key using a standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.

Another option 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 a popular option for those who wish to protect their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.