The Next Big New Cut Car Key Industry

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built within the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The onboard computer checks the serial number digitally of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.

The microchip in your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your car's chip which is needed for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in a wide range of low-cost cars too.

Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It is merely a block or carbon that is sized to have an electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the blade of the key, so that when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This isn't a way to make a car safe from theft however it can delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module may start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time the key is inserted. As time passes the wires can begin to break. When enough wires break the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.

The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key with the multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal visible on both sides of the key, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance value of your key.

This is a great method to test a brand new key and see if it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They also function as an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit 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. That's a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a steep price to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its case that is protected each time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.

The decision to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you would buy from the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks.  our website  can unlock your locks and also start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it must be physically put into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.

There are several options to select from based on how long it's been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key is used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features 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 specific distance of your car.

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

You can also replace your standard keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to enhance the security of their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't start.