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Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that guarantees safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys. It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times. Transponder Keys Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are located in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it. The microchip in your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This will stop “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars. Locksmiths that offer these services can create keys for cars with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. They have a huge variety of keys, and can help you find the best one for your car. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle that is required to use the device. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is most common in high-end cars, but is now available on a variety of affordable models. Another kind of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that'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 transponder keys or cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet 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's just carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value. key cutting price used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned in the ignition, 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 doesn't make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to twenty minutes. After a long period of use the VATS module may begin to wear out. get more info inside the ignition are moved every time the key is inserted. As time passes the wires can begin to break. Once enough of the wires break the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car. The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key. This method is also a great way to test the new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car. Smart Key Fobs Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the car. They can also be an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking space and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their additional functions. They also need to be programmed at the dealer. Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time in purses and pockets, where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter. One method of protecting the key fob's RFID is to put it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob every time you use it from the protective case. Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships or extended warranties, will cover the cost of an additional fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning. The decision to purchase a new fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event, you should always have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd buy from the dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made. Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last cut your keys There are many options to pick from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind. Some of these features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a certain range of your car. If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new one with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk. Another alternative is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.