Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated procedure that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.

(Image: https://g28carkeys.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FIAT.png)It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car keys cut and programmed, you will need to have a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These microchips are tiny located in the handle of your key which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The computer on board detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.

The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This stops ”hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars.

Locksmiths who offer these services can make keys for cars with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. These stores have a large range of keys and can help you find the right one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to make it work.

There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles but is now accessible on many affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop them from starting a vehicle that it's not meant to. These van keys cut near me are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys and cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary however it could delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module could begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires can start to break. Once enough wires are broken then the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.

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 the multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and check whether it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart cheap key cutting fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends much of its time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To protect a smart fob you can put it in a casing made of metal or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the case.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and Auto Key Cutting Near Me club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case you should have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will open your locks and start your car, assuming you don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using traditional keys is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.

You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.

Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a specific range of your car.

If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key, and will not start.