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Car Key Cutting Explained Car key cutting is more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees security, functionality, and longevity of the keys. It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car, you will need to have a replacement key cut. Transponder Keys If your car was manufactured within the past 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the right one. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it. The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This stops the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of stealing cars. Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. They are also available at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary to use it. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of cars as well. The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. G28 Car Keys are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths. VATS Keys Before transponder keys and cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system 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 black VATS pellet located in the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those found on modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to. GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on the ignition the coded signal 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 starts to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft however it can delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes. Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved each time a key is placed. As time passes the wires can begin to break. When enough wires break then the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car. The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key. This method is also a good way to test the new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle. Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start a car. They are also used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that 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 obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer. Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that is often time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it is easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to. One way to protect the smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case every time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology. Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will cover the cost of an additional fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services. The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would pay at a dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional car keys are a single length of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start the car, assuming you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank. Depending on how long has passed since you last got your keys cut, there are several different options to pick from when it comes time to get another copy made. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind. Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key can be used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a certain range of your car. If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk and doors. You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to secure their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.