The Next Big New Cut Car Key Industry

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than just forming the metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.

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

Transponder Keys

If your car was built in the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The onboard computer examines the serial number digitally of the chip before giving the car permission to begin. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.

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

Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip, which is required for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible on many affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not intended to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This isn't a way to make a car theft proof, but it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time the key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may 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 solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your sidewinder key cutting.

This is a great method to test a new key and see whether it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the car. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to help you locate your car in a lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge price to pay for a device that's often tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One method of protecting a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key cut service fob from its case that is protected each time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Certain policies that are more recent, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties, will pay for a replacement fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith laser cut keys near me store that offers key-fob-cloning.

The decision of whether to buy an additional fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case, you should always have an extra fob or key in case in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key cutting and programming key of old is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote automobile key cutting near me. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it must be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last cut your keys there are a variety of alternatives to pick from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.

Some of these features that are included in modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only effective only when you're within certain distance.

If you decide to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design an entirely new key using the standard cutter machine that is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to safeguard their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.