Here's A Little-Known Fact About Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips inside the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car checks the serial number digitally of the chip before it allows the car to start. This prevents thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to know the unique serial number.

The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. These stores have a wide range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle, which is required to use the device.

There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is most common in luxury cars, but is now available on many affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the blade of the key, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted 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 be activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires could begin to break. When enough wires break then the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.

The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult 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 metal prongs on both sides of your emergency key cutting.

This is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start a car. Many of them have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking space and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality can mean that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends a lot of its time in pockets and purses, where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.

One method of protecting the smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

The decision to buy a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. You should always keep an extra key or fob in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would 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. These keys will unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by a remote key or smart key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key cut place has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.

Depending on how long has passed since the last time you got your keys cut there are a variety of alternatives to select from when it comes time to get another copy made. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.

Some of these advanced features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within a certain 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 that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. 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 were introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to protect their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.