Five Things You Don't Know About Cut Car Key Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping the metal. It is a complex process that guarantees safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. You'll 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 that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer onboard is able to verify the serial number digitally of the chip before it allows the car to start. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. These stores have a wide range of keys and will help you get the right one for your car. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip, which is required for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. 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 car that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys or 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 confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of the VATS key isn't a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the 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 resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft, but it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires could begin to break. When 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 by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance value of your key.


This method is also a great way to test a new key to see if it will work in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start the car. They also function as a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot and 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. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high price to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To safeguard Read the Full Report , you can store it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you must take your key fob out every time you take it out of the protective case.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides 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 start functions are. In any case you should have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by the 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 key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have new keys cut from the blank.

Depending on how long has passed since you last cut your keys There are many alternatives to choose from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are embedded into the key and communicate with your vehicle. Read the Full Report means that it can only effective only when you're within certain distance.

If you decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.

You can also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for people who want to add extra protection to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.