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Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or even have them break into the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car, you will need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built in the last 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This prevents thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can make car keys with chips. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle that is required to use the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars as well.

Another kind of car key that's difficult 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 to one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected the key blades to them so that when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor 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 vehicle secure from theft however it can delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use, the VATS module can start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and, over time, the wires could begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.

The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities also means that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high price for a product that is often tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One method to safeguard the smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you must remove your key fob every time you take it out of the protective case.

Certain policies that are more recent, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will cover the cost of an additional fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.

The decision of whether to buy a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and open the car, as long as you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit the 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 select from when it comes to getting another copy made. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.

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


If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.

Another alternative is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to secure their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If key cut places near me aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals from the key, and will not start.

Member since: Tuesday, October 15, 2024

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