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15 Things You Don't Know About Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built within the last 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The onboard computer checks the serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to begin. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.


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

Locksmiths that offer these services can make car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.

You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end cars but is now accessible on many affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available at certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet black in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades so that, when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module could begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and, over time, the wires can start to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.

The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key with a multimeter. 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, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance value of your key.

This is a great method to test a new key and determine if it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They also function as an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help locate your vehicle in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities can mean that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that's often jostled in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.

One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to keep it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case every time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

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

The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event, you should always have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd spend at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.

You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.

Some of these advanced features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are an additional security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only work only when you're within a specific distance.

If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.

You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. Click Link came out in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.

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