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

Car key cutting is more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.

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 vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and transmit a signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The onboard computer is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Locksmiths that offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in choosing the best one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to use it.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now available in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.

Another kind of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip as present on modern keys. It's just a block or carbon that is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.


GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the 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 begins to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof, but it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time a key is introduced. Over time the wires can start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.

You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This method is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing a button. That's a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a steep price to pay for a device that's often jostled in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To secure a smart card, you can store it in a casing made of metal or use an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a case that is protected each time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Some newer policies like auto club memberships and extended warranties can cover the cost of a replacement fob or reimburse you in the event that it's lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any case, you should always have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional 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, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you had your keys cut, there are several different options to select from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.

Some of these features that come with modern-day keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work when you're within a certain distance.

If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can make a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.

You can also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who want to safeguard their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If click the next web page aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals transmitted by the key.