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Why You'll Definitely Want To Find Out More About Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming an object of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.

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

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the last 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer onboard examines the serial number digitally of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip that is required for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys 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 designed to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. 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 block of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time the key is introduced. As time passes the wires can begin to break. If car key cutting and programming are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.

You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key with the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This method is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys


Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start a car. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to assist you in finding your car in a lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends much of its time in purses and pockets, where it can be easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.

One way to protect a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob each time you use it from the 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 dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

The decision to buy a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than what you would buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can open your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.

Depending on how much time has passed since you last cut your keys there are a variety of alternatives to pick from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.

Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a certain distance of your car.

If you choose to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can create the new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.

You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys 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 will not start.

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