Could Cut Car Key Be The Key To Dealing With 2023? Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle you'll need to have a replacement key cut.

car key cuts

If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press 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 right one. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.

The microchip inside your car key transmits a 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 only begin if it recognizes this code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type 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 any of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted 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 does not make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car could 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 can begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.

You can resolve 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's 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 visible on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key.

This is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a high cost to pay for a product that is often jostled in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To secure a smart card, you can store it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a protective case every time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will pay for replacing the fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.

For most drivers who want to buy 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 fob or key in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd buy from the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it must be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made from the blank.

There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.

Some of these advanced features that come with modern-day keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.


If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.