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Car Key Cutting Explained Car key cutting is more than just forming an object of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, efficiency, and longevity of the keys. It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut. Transponder Keys Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips located in the key's handle which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer onboard is able to verify the serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to start. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number. The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This stops “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars. Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a large variety of keys, and can help you find the appropriate one for your car. They can help you program your vehicle's chip which is needed for the device to function. There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is most commonly found in luxury cars however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models. The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. key cut near me open now come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that is only found at a few 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 utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance. GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached them to key blades so that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded message is 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 doesn't make a car safe from burglary however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes. Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car may 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 may begin to break. When enough wires break, the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car. The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are visible 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 a great opportunity to test a new key and see whether it works in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car. Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your vehicle in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer. In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter. One method of protecting the smart key fob is to store it in an aluminum case or an 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 every time you need to use it from the protective case. Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning. The decision to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you misplace yours. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership. Traditional Keys The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it must be physically put into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made from the blank. There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features. Some of these features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work when you're within a certain distance. If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. you will still be able to use your locks, trunk and doors. Another alternative is to get your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those looking to protect their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.