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Car Key Cutting Explained Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys. It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll need a new key cut. Transponder Keys Transponder chips are likely to be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips inside the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. 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 prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number. The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This will stop “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars. Locksmiths who provide these services can make keys for cars with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle that is required to operate the device. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models. The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's 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 prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be found at some locksmiths. VATS Keys Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys, it's simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance. GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal 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 safe from burglary however it could delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to twenty minutes. After a lot of usage the VATS module may start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires may begin to break. Once enough of the wires are broken, the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car. You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. relevant internet site 's not hard to determine the resistance of a key with a multimeter. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key. Then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance value of your key. This is a great way to test a new key and see whether it will work 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 do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer. In fact, some dealers will charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge price for a device that's often tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to. One method to safeguard 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 the technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob each time you want to take it out of the protective case. Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning. The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event you should have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership. Traditional Keys The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and open the car, provided you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key is lost or broken it is necessary to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created. Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you got your keys cut there are a variety of alternatives to select from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind. Some of these modern features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only effective only when you're within a specific distance. If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new key using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk. Another option is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.