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Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys. It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times. Transponder Keys Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are tiny located in the handle of your key which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it. The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This will stop “hot wiring” or other methods of stealing cars. Locksmiths who offer these services can create keys for cars with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work. You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having 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 cars, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars too. The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available through certain locksmiths. VATS Keys Before the days of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance. GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes. After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module may start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires may start to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin. You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance of your key. This is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. 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 work in your vehicle. Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer. Some dealers charge up to $100 for one 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 moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near. One method of protecting the 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 compromised if you need to remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the protective case. Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning. For the majority of drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose it. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd buy from the dealership. Traditional Keys The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. click here for info to using the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created. There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it's been since you cut your keys. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced. Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the distance of your car. If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk. You can also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for people who want to add extra protection to their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.