Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than just forming an object of metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees security, functionality and long-term use of the keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break in the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built within the last 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These chips are small microchips in the key's handle that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer examines the serial number digitally of the chip before it allows the car to start. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.

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

Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars with chips. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your car key cutting service near me. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.

You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of automobile key cutting near me that is difficult to duplicate. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet black in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key, so that when the key is turned on in 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 begins to run. This doesn't make a vehicle secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and, over time, the wires could begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the mobile key cutting key near me (Full Guide), and then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.

This method is also a great way to test a new key to determine whether it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking space or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional features can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends much of its time snagging around in pockets and purses, which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.

To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you need to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied 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 the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any case, you should always have a spare fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you would pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. 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 drawback to using a traditional key is that it must be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your key from the past 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 select from based on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.

Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key can be used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only effective when you're within a certain distance.

If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.

You can also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals coming from the key, and will not start.