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Car Key Cutting Explained Car key cutting is more than just forming the metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys. It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times. Transponder Keys If your car was manufactured within the last 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The onboard computer reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it. The microchip in your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this 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 who provide these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end cars, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models. Another kind of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths. VATS Keys Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance. GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If G28 Car Keys 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 doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft, but it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes. Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and, over time, the wires could begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start. The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by 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 is a great opportunity to test out a new key and determine if it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car. Smart Key Fobs Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock and start the car. They often have advanced features that many owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by the dealer. In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby. One way to protect the smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case every time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology. Some newer policies like auto club memberships or extended warranties, will cover the cost of replacing the fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services. The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case you should have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you would pay at a dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one made from the blank. Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last had your keys cut There are many options available for you to pick from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind. Some of these modern features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle. If you choose to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can create a new key with the standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you can still operate your trunk, locks and doors. Another alternative is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to add extra protection to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.