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Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle you'll need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car checks the serial number digitally of the chip before it allows the car to begin. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.

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

Locksmiths who offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell them. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can assist you in programming your car's chip, which is required to operate the device.

You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.

Another type of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance.


GM used 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 will be sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires can begin to break. Once enough 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 and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are visible on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key.

This method is also a great way to test the new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that many owners are unaware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing a button. That's a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends much of its time jostled around 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 protect smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to keep it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you must take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the protective case.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

For the majority of drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken it is necessary to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.

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

Some of these modern features that come with modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you're within a specific distance.

If you choose to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.

You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those looking to add extra protection to their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't start.

Member since: Friday, October 25, 2024

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