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Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complex process that guarantees safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys. It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, 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 Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer onboard checks the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it. The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. www.g28carkeys.co.uk activates microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This stops “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars. Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell keys with chips. These stores have a wide range of keys and will help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle that is required to operate the device. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is most common in luxury cars however, it is now available on many affordable models. Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming device 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 a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value. GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected the key blades to them so that, when the key is turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal is in line with 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 doesn't make a car safe from burglary however it could delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes. Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved each time a key is inserted. As time passes the wires could begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start. You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key with the multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key. This is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle. Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start a car. They also function as a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer. Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time in pockets and purses, where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby. One method to safeguard the smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if must remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the protective case. Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services. For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. Always keep an extra key or fob in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, provided you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created. You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys made with security features in mind. Some of these features that come with the modern-day keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within a specific distance. If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. you are still able to operate your locks, trunk and doors. Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key and won't start.