Car Key Cutting Explained

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

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured within the past 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These chips are tiny microchips in the handle of your key which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car checks the serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car key cutting service to start. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.

The microchip inside your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.

Locksmiths who cuts car keys near me provide these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell them. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in many affordable models of cars as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be found at some locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached them to key blades so that, when the key is turned on, a coded signal is sent 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 begins to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time a key is introduced. Over time the wires could begin to break. Once enough of the wires break the signal to the module is 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 as well as a chart to find out 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 of metal on both sides of your key cut place.

This is a great way to test a new key and check whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to assist you in finding your car in a lot or summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality can mean that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal 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 ease of use of this technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob every time you need to take it out of the protective case.

Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties can cover the cost of replacing the fob or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. You should always keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you misplace yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, provided you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.

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

Some of these modern features that come with modern-day 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 device. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within a specific distance.

If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder local key cutting, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

You can also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those looking to secure their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.