The Hidden Secrets Of Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would 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. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create car keys with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell keys with chips. They have a vast range of keys and will help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip that is required for the device to function.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
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 15 possible values to stop them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades so that when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If it matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each when the key is placed. Over time the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This method can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.
To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you must remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the case.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties will cover the cost of a replacement fob or reimburse you in the event that it is lost. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event you should have a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Additionally, key cut service and easy service is about 50% less than the price you would pay at the dealership.
key cutting services are a single length of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will open your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.
There are several options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take 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 the distance of your car.
If you decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.