The Next Big New Cut Car Key Industry

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You'll require a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit getting a new car key cut signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The computer in the car checks the digital serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.

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

Car keys with chips can be created at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be purchased at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. These stores offer a wide variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to use it.

You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a variety of affordable automobiles as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.

VATS keys cut and programmed near me

Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those present on 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 them to the blade of the key to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car could 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 start to break. Once enough wires break, the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.

The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal 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 good way to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. They often have advanced features that many owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities can mean that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

One method to safeguard the smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

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

The decision of whether to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. You should always keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd spend at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, assuming you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith key cutting to have a new one created.

There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it's been since you cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others employ laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.

Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your car, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.

If you choose to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design a new key with a standard cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.

Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who want 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 are not present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.