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Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, functionality, and longevity of the keys. It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut. Transponder Keys If your car was built in the past 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny in the key's handle that transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it. The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates the 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 to steal cars. Locksmiths who provide these services can make car keys with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. These stores have a large range of keys and can help you find the best one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary to use it. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is most common in high-end cars but is now accessible on many affordable models. Another type of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few 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 makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value. GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft however it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes. Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires could 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 fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. 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 also a great way to test a new key to determine whether it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car. Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start the car. They can also be used as a security device and security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to aid in locating your vehicle when you're in a hurry or call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, www.g28carkeys.co.uk can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer. Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that is often time in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near. To secure a smart card you can put it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case each time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology. Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on new car dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services. For most drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any case it is advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd pay at a dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, provided you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank. There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you cut your keys. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features. Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key is used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only effective only when you're within a specific distance. If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can make an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors. You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who wish to secure their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.