Car Key Cutting Explained

cutting car keys near me the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated procedure that guarantees security, function and durability of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips in the key’s handle that transmit a signal to the vehicle’s onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer onboard is able to verify the serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they’d need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car key cutting locksmith near me transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car’s onboard computer. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This stops the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.

You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another kind of car key that’s hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop them from starting a vehicle that it’s not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS key isn’t an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This doesn’t make a car burglar-proof however it could delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. Every time a local key cutting is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires may begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.

The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It’s not difficult to determine the resistance of a key by using the multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance of your key.

This is a great method to test a brand new key and determine whether it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that many owners aren’t aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking lot, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also have to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It’s a high price for a device that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle’s settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

One way to protect the smart key fob is to put it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a case that is protected each time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Certain policies that are more recent like 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 save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.

The decision to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car’s keyless entry and start functions. In any case you should have a spare key cutting key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than what you would spend at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys will open your locks and start your car, provided you haven’t replaced them with a remote key or smart 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 key is damaged, lost or stolen, you’ll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have new keys cut from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last got your keys cut There are many options to select from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features.

Some of these features that are included in modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it only work when it’s within a specific distance of your vehicle.

If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can make a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.

You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and they’re a popular choice for those looking to add extra protection to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren’t present in your car, it won’t respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.