What Is The Secret Life Of Cut Car Key Car Key Cutting Explained

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

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

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured within the past 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer on board scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.

The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can design keys for cars with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can assist you in choosing the right one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specially designed software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models.


The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called 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 black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time the key is inserted. As time passes the wires could start to break. Once enough wires break, the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.

You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using a multimeter. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They are also an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking lot and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities also means that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for something that is often time jostled around in purses and pockets, where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.

One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. car key cutting price of the technology is compromised if you have to remove your key fob every time you want to use it from the case.

Some newer policies like auto club memberships and extended warranties can pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on new car dealer fees and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any case, you should always have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will open your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key has been damaged or lost, you will need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.

Depending on how much time has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of options to choose from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only work only when you're within a specific distance.

If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.

You could also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for those who wish to enhance the security of their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.