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Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys. It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times. Transponder Keys If your car was built in the last 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are 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 of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it. The microchip inside your car keys transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This stops “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars. Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. They are also available at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. They have a huge variety of keys, and can assist you in choosing the best one for your vehicle. They can even 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 have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now being used in many affordable models of cars too. Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They have a resistor that is 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 designed to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths. Keys to VATS Before transponder keys and vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply a block or carbon that is sized to provide an electrical resistance. GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft, but it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes. Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each when the key is inserted. Over time, the wires may start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start. The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key using the multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance value of your key. This method can also be a good method to test a new key to see whether it works in your vehicle. Remove please click the next internet page from the ignition first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your car. Smart Key Fobs for Keys Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the car. They also function as an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional features can mean that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer. In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that is often time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby. To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob every time you need to take it out of the protective case. Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services. For the majority of drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership. Traditional Keys The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank. Depending on how much time has passed since you last had your keys cut there are a variety of options available for you to select from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced. Some of these features that come with 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 anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle. If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design an entirely new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors. You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to secure their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.