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The Next Big New Cut Car Key Industry
Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car you'll require a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips located in the handle of your key that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car checks the digital serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle, as they would need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car key transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. 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 that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars too.

Another kind of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those present on modern keys. key cut places near me is merely carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected 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 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 starts to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft, but it will delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module could begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved each time the key is inserted. As time passes the wires can start to break. When enough wires break the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.

key cut places near me is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display 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 will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys


Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start a car. They are also an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you find your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that's frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.

To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case every time you need to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will pay for a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also save money on new car dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob on hand in the event that you lose yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that is approximately 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last cut your keys there are a variety of options available for you to choose from when it comes to having another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.

key cut places near me come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within a certain range of your car.

If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create an entirely new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.

Another alternative is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals from the key and won't be able to start.

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