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Car Key Cutting Explained Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality and the longevity of keys. It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle you'll require a replacement key cut. Transponder Keys Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The computer in the car examines the serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to begin. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it. The microchip inside your car key transmits an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip which then transmits instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This will stop the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of taking cars. Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They are also available at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle that is required for the device to function. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in a variety of affordable cars too. Another type of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. key cuts for cars have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not designed 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 or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance. GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades so that when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal is in line with the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof however, it can deter thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes. After a lot of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved each when the key is placed. Over time, the wires may start to break. When enough wires are broken, the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car. You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance of your key. This is also a good way to test a new key to see if it will work in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car. Smart Key Fobs Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that many owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot or call it up by pressing a button. This is a lot more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer. In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that is often time snagging around in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter. To secure a smart card you can put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob every time you want to use it from the case. Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships and extended warranties will cover the cost of an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services. For the majority of drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than the price you would spend at 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 can open your locks and start the car, as long as you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback of using traditional keys is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit an 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 got your keys cut There are many options available for you to select from when it comes to having another copy made. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind. Some of these features that come with the modern-day keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a certain range of your car. If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk. Another alternative is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for those looking to enhance the security of their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key and won't be able to start.