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Car Key Cutting Explained Car key cutting is more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys. It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times. Transponder Keys If your car was built in the last 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are tiny microchips located in the handle of your key that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car examines the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to start. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it. The microchip in your car key transmits an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This stops the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of taking cars. Locksmiths who provide these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. These stores have a wide range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function. There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of cars as well. The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 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 machine that is only located at certain locksmiths. VATS Keys Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet that is black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those present on modern keys. It is merely a block or carbon that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value. GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned on, a coded message 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 will start 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 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 may start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car. You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs made of metal hanging out on both sides of the key. Then examine key cutting services of your ohm meter to find out the resistance of your key. This is a great opportunity to test a new key and check if it works in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car. Smart Key Fobs for Keys Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. They also function as an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality can mean that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer. key cutting car charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to. To secure a smart card to protect it, you can place it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to take 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. Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning. The decision of whether to buy a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event, you should always have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and open the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken, you will need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created. Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of options to pick from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features. Modern keys are equipped with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only function only when you're within certain distance. If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk. Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those looking to protect their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.