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Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys. It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car, you will need a new key cut. Transponder Keys If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The computer in the car checks the serial number digitally of the chip prior to it allows the car to begin. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it. The microchip in your car keys transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This stops “hot wiring” or other methods of stealing cars. Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. They are also available at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can assist you in finding the right one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip, which is required to use the device. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars as well. Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths. VATS Keys Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value. GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes. Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved each time a key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. Once enough of the wires break then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car. You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key. This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and determine whether it will work in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle. Smart Key Fobs for Keys Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start cars. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking space and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. That's a lot more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer. Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge price to pay for a product that is often jostled in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter. To protect a smart fob you can put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob each time you take it out of the protective case. Full Review of the newer policies like auto club memberships or extended warranties, will pay for a replacement fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services. For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends 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 you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership. Traditional Keys The classic car key is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can open your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank. There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced. Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle. If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder. you can still operate your locks, trunk and doors. Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.