Why You Should Be Working With This Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

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

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle, as they would need to know the unique serial number.

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

Locksmiths that offer these services can design car keys with chips. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a large range of keys and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.

You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of cars as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not designed to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof however it could delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and over time the wires can start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.

You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are visible on both sides of the key. Then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance of your key.

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

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also have to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high price for a device that's frequently tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or nearby exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a protective case every time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event you should have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one made from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last had your keys cut there are a variety of alternatives to pick from when it comes time to get car key cut another copy made. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these modern features that come with modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within a certain distance of your car.

If you choose to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can create the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your locks, nearby doors and trunk.

Another alternative is to get your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.