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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 longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The onboard computer is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This prevents thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip that is required to operate the device.

There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specially designed software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. They are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called 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 black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal 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 doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft however it will delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module may start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every time the key is introduced. As time passes the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires break then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.

The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your emergency key cutting, but it is not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.

This is a great way to test out a new key and check whether it will work in your car. Be sure to remove the automobile key cutting near me from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They are also used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking space, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional features also means that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge price for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

To secure a smart card you can put it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case each time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Certain policies that are more recent such as 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 new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides mobile key cutting service-fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep a spare Emergency Key cutting or fob handy just in case you lose yours. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you had your keys cut there are a variety of options to select from when it comes to getting another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.

Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your car, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only effective only when you're within a specific distance.

If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could make a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using a key cutting services near me fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to enhance the security of their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.