The Secret Life Of Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than just shaping the metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. You'll require a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you turn the key. The computer in the car checks the serial number digitally of the chip before allowing the car to start. 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 inside your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by locksmiths that offer these services. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a large variety of automobile keys made near me, and can help you find the appropriate one for your car. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip that is required to operate the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars as well.
Another type of car motorcycle key cutting that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase 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 the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular 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 located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is merely a block or carbon that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the 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 doesn't make a car safe from theft, but it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each when the key is introduced. Over time, the wires may begin to break. Once enough wires break, 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 VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great method to test a brand new key and see whether it will work in your car. 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 not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start a car. They often have advanced features that many owners are unaware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help locate your vehicle in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality can mean that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers cost to get a key cut upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends a lot of its time in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to.
One way to protect the smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case every time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto car key cutting near me club memberships and extended warranties will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy a new fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have new keys made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you got your keys cut there are a variety of options to select from when it comes to having another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that 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 decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular option for those who wish to secure their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.
