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Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys. It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle you'll need to have a replacement key cut. Transponder Keys If your car was manufactured within the last 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. cutting car key on board scans the digital serial numbers inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to know the unique serial number. The microchip inside your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This stops “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars. Locksmiths who offer these services can make keys for cars with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. They have a huge selection of keys, and can help you find the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip which is needed for the device to function. You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models. Another kind of key for cars that is difficult 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 fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be found at some locksmiths. VATS Keys Before transponder keys or vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value. GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades so that when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message 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 does not make a car safe from burglary however it could delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to twenty minutes. Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires may start to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin. The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key. This is a great way to test out a new key and determine if it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car. Smart Key Fobs Key fobs of today are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing the button. This is more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their additional functions. They also have to be programmed at the dealer. In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that is often time snagging around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter near. To protect a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob each time you use it from the protective case. Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services. For most drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and start your car, assuming you don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using a traditional key is that it must be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your car key has been lost or broken, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made. Depending on how long has passed since the last time you cut your keys there are a variety of options to pick from when it comes time to get another copy made. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others employ laser-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind. Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you're within a specific distance. If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design a new key with a standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk. Another option is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.