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This History Behind Cut Car Key Can Haunt You Forever!
Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping an object of metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. You'll require a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips in the key's handle which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. cheapest key cutting near me in the car is able to verify the serial number digitally of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. 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 in the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the right one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.


Locksmiths who provide these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. They have a huge variety of keys, and can help you find the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip, which is required to operate the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned on, a coded signal is sent 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 begins to run. This isn't a way to make a car theft proof however it can delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use, the VATS module can start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires break then the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.

The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and see if it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They are also used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you find your car in a parking lot and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time jostled around in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

To secure a smart card to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you have to remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the case.

Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships or extended warranties will cover the cost of a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. Always keep an extra key or fob in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old 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 start the car, as long as you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys There are many options available for you to pick from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.

Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within the range of your car.

If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk, locks, and doors.

Another alternative is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for people who want to enhance the security of their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals transmitted by the key.

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