The Secret Life Of Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

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

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle you'll need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car keys cut by code was built in the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips located in the handle of your key that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer on board detects the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the right one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell them. They have a huge variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.

You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars as well.

Another type of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not meant to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys, it's simply a carbon block properly sized to carry an electrical resistance that is specific to.

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They 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 signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof however it could delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and, over time, 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.

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 by using the multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This method is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the car. They also function as an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that is often time snagging around in purses and pockets where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One method of protecting a smart key fob is to put it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the protective case.

Certain policies that are more recent, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can cover the cost of replacing the fob or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also save money on new car dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case you should have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you would pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote van key cutting. The only disadvantage of using the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.

There are several options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Some of these features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only effective when you're within a certain distance.

If you decide to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design a new key with a standard cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.

You could also replace your traditional car keys cut in my area with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut new car key near me keys are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key and won't start.