Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer on board reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.

The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Locksmiths who offer these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your car. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle, which is required for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser motorcycle key cutting cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another kind of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) double sided key cutting near me. These keys feature a black resistor on 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 purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black in the center of a VATS key is not a chip like those used in modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the key cutting price's blade, so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the 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 will start to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each time the key is introduced. Over time the wires could begin to break. Once enough of the wires break the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.

The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance value of your key.

This method can also be a good method to test a new special key cutting to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start cars. They often have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features also means that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends much of its time in purses and pockets, where it is easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.

One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to store it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob each time you need to take it out of the protective case.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.

The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start the car, provided you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken it is necessary to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.

Depending on how much time has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of options available for you to select from when it comes time to get another copy made. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features.

Some of these advanced features that come with the modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within the range of your car.

If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design a new key with a standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder. you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.

You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to secure their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key cutting business.