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Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that guarantees safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys. It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or even have them break into the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car, you will need a new key cut. Transponder Keys If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The onboard computer reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it. The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This prevents “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars. Locksmiths who provide these services can create car keys with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip, which is required to operate the device. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well. Another kind of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths. VATS Keys Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to. GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be sent 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 be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft, but 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 could start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and, over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin. The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home 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. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key. This is also a great way to test a new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car. Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They are also an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to assist you in finding your car in a lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer. Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a steep cost to pay for a device that's frequently tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter. One method to safeguard the smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a case that is protected each time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology. Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services. The decision of whether to buy an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep an extra key or fob in case you lose yours. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. We also offer an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start the car, provided you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made. Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys, there are several different options to pick from when it comes time to get another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features. Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you're within a specific distance. If G28 Car Keys decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors. Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to secure their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.