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Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of the keys. It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times. Transponder Keys If your car was constructed in the last 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips located in the key's handle that send signals to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer on board reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number. The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This prevents “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars. Locksmiths who offer these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell keys with chips. These stores have a large variety of keys, and can help you find the right one for your vehicle. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential to make it work. There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is most common in high-end cars, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models. The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not designed 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 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 standard key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value. GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades so that, when the key is turned in the ignition 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 will start to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes. Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and over time the wires may start to break. When enough wires are broken then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car. The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using the multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are visible on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance value of your key. This is a great way to test out a new key and check whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car. Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start cars. They often have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your vehicle in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also need to be programmed at the dealer. Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that is often time snagging around in pockets and purses, where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near. One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if need to take your key fob out every time you want to take it out of the protective case. Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning. For most drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would pay at a dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can open your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have new keys made from the blank. Depending on how long has passed since the last time you cut your keys there are a variety of alternatives to pick from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced. Some of these advanced features that come with the modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key can be used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within a specific distance of your car. If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors. Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.