How To Make A Profitable Cut Car Key Even If You're Not Business-Savvy

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle you'll need to have a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured within the past 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are tiny located in the handle of your key that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer on board reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell keys with chips.  cost to get a key cut  have a huge selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip, which is required for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive  laser key cutting  machines or specially designed software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in a variety of affordable automobiles as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip as present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every time a key is introduced. As time passes the wires could start to break. When enough wires are broken then the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to 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 by using the multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This can also be a good method to test the new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start the car. They also function as used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or call it up by pressing a button. This is a lot more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality also means that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

To secure a smart card you can put it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case every time you want to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover 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 locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you would spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys will open your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by a remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one made from the blank.

Depending on how much time has passed since you last had your keys cut There are many options available for you to choose from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these advanced features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a certain distance of your car.

If you decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to add extra protection to their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.