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Car Key Cutting Explained Car key cutting is much more than just forming an object of metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys. It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times. Transponder Keys If your car was manufactured 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 that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number. The microchip in your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates 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 prevents the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of theft of cars. automotive key cutting with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. These stores offer a wide variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip that is required to operate the device. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable automobiles as well. The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. 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 more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at some locksmiths. VATS Keys Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance. GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned on in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a vehicle secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes. After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each when the key is placed. As time passes, the wires may start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start. car key cutting and programming is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult 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 gauge on the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance value of your key. This method is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. 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 vehicle. Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They can also be an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. 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 activate it by pressing the button. This is more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by the dealer. Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. It's a high price for a product that is often jostled in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter. One way to protect the smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its case that is protected each time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology. Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning. For the majority of drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any event, you should always have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than the price you'd buy from the dealership. Traditional Keys The classic car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback 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 lost or broken, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made. Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last had your keys cut There are many options available for you to pick from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys made with security features in mind. Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to start your car which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within the distance of your vehicle. If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk. Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who want to protect their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals from the key, and will not start.