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Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than just forming the metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

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

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These chips are small microchips inside the handle of your key which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car thieves from taking over your vehicle, [empty] as they would need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by locksmiths that offer these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. These stores have a large variety of keys, and can assist you in choosing the best one for your car key cutting near me prices. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle which is needed for the device to function.

You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost to get a key cut models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard 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 in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those found on most modern keys. It is merely a block or carbon that is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected the key's blade, so that when the key is turned in the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module could start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires can start to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.

The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key cutting services. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can find 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 opportunity to test out a new key and check if it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start the car. They can also be an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional 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.

In fact, some retailers will charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge price for a device that's often tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.

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

Some newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties can pay for an additional fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. You should always keep a spare car key cutting near me fob or key in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and [Redirect Only] convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, provided you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.

There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it's been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only function only when you're within certain distance.

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

You can also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.