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

Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or even have them break into the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built in the past 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are tiny microchips inside the key's handle that transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car keys transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell keys with chips. They have a vast selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.

There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now being used in many affordable models of cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be found at some locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached the key blades to them so that when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor 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 burglar-proof however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time a key is placed. Over time the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal to the module is 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 by using the multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are visible on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.

This method is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities can mean that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a huge price for a product that is often tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, 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 often combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to.

To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships or extended warranties can pay for replacing the fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.


The decision of whether to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event you should have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If Full File is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.

There are several options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific distance of your car.

If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new key using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.

Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who wish to secure their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.

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