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Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, functionality and long-term use 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'll need a new key cut. Transponder Keys If your car was built in the last 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car checks the serial number digitally of the chip before allowing the car to start. This prevents thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to know the unique serial number. The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This will stop “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars. Locksmiths who offer these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a large selection of keys, and can help you find the right one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to make it work. You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end vehicles, however it is now available 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. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths. VATS Keys Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those present on modern keys. It is merely a block or carbon that is sized to hold an electrical resistance. GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned on the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If Suggested Web page 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 does not make a car burglar-proof however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes. After a long period of use the VATS module may start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time a key is inserted. As time passes the wires can start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start. You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are visible 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 if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not function in your vehicle. Smart Key Fobs Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing the button. This is more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by a dealer. Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that is often time jostled around in purses and pockets, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter. One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob every time you take it out of the protective case. Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning. For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case, you should always have an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key is damaged or lost it is necessary to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made. You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys made with security features in mind. Some of these modern features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only effective when you're within a certain distance. If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk. Another option is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to secure their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't receive the signals from the key and won't start.