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Car Key Cutting Explained Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping the metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys. local key cutting is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times. Transponder Keys If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using 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 thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number. The microchip inside your car key transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of taking cars. Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle which is needed to use the device. There are also laser cut keys that 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 special software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in a wide range of low-cost cars as well. Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths. VATS Keys Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet 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 provide an electrical resistance value. GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected the key's blade, so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If it matches 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 most 15 to 20 minutes. Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. Each 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. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start. The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance of your key. This is a great opportunity to test a new key and check whether it will work in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin 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 Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking lot, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features can mean that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer. Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time jostled around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to. One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to keep it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its case that is protected each time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology. Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning. The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event you should have an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key has been damaged or lost, you will need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made. Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you had your keys cut There are many options available for you to choose from when it comes to having another copy made. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features. Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within certain distance. If you choose to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk. Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key and won't start.