10 Quick Tips To 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 procedure that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or even have them break into the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are tiny located in the handle of your key which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car keys transmits an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will help you get the right one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle, which is required for the device to function.

You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those present in modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades so that when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 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 are moved every time the key is placed. As time passes the wires can begin to break. Once enough of the wires break then the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key. Then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance value of your key.

This is a great way to test out a new key and determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They can also be an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking space, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. i thought about this is a lot more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that is often time snagging around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One way to protect a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if have to take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the protective case.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.

The decision of whether to buy a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob on hand in the event that you lose yours. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and open the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys there are a variety of alternatives to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.

Some of these modern features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the distance of your vehicle.


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

You can also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals transmitted by the key.