Here's A Little-Known Fact About Cut Car Key. Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, efficiency and the longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle you'll need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by locksmiths that offer these services. They are also available at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can help you find the best one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
mobile key cutting to VATS
Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block that is sized to have 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 was turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to the module. If it matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine begins to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires can begin to break. When enough wires break, the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is also a great way to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start a car. They often have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high price for a device that's often jostled in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One way to protect a smart key fob is to put it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you have to take your key fob out every time you use it from the case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage 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 hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For the majority of drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter 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 choice of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal 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 don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you were able to cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you can still operate your trunk, locks and doors.
Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who want to secure their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.