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Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys. It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will require a replacement key cut. Transponder Keys If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The computer onboard examines the serial number digitally of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number. The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This stops “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars. Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars with chips. They are also available at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required for it to function. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in many affordable models of cars too. Another type 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 any of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths. VATS Keys Before transponder keys or cars that had 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 inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a 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 provide an electrical resistance. GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches 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 does not make a car burglar-proof however, it can deter a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes. Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires within the ignition, and, over time, the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car. You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance value of your key. This can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle. Smart Key Fobs for Keys Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They can also be a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their additional functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer. In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it can be easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter. One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you have to remove your key fob each time you use it from the case. Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships as well as extended warranties will pay for an additional fob, or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning. For most drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case you should have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have new keys cut from the blank. There are several options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind. Some of these features that come with modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a certain range of your car. If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder. you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors. You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.