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Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, efficiency, and longevity of the keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll need to have a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built in the past 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The computer on board reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.


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

Locksmiths that offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. These stores have a large selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or 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 another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, 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 located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If auto key cutting matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires can start to break. Once enough of the wires are broken then the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key by using the 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 good way to test the new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They are also an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge price for a product that is often tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you need to take your key fob out every time you want to take it out of the protective case.

Some newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties can cover the cost of an additional fob, or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, as long as you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last had your keys cut there are a variety of options available for you to choose from when it comes time to get another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these advanced features that come with modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only effective when you're within a certain distance.

If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can create a new key with a standard cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.

You could also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to safeguard their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.

Member since: Sunday, October 20, 2024

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