3 Ways That The Cut Car Key Influences Your Life
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and durability of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle you'll need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny located in the key's handle which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number within 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 in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create car keys with chips. They are also available at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a vast selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can help you program your vehicle's chip which is needed for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than 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 special software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called 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 being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches 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 theft proof however it can 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. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires could begin to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.
You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This method is also a good way to test the new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. G28 Car Keys UK of them have advanced features that most 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 find your car in a parking space, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their additional functions. They also require to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge price for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob every time you use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a 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.
For most drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event, you should always have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. They can open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
Depending on how long has passed since you last cut your keys There are many options to pick from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others employ laser-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that come with the modern-day keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key can be used to open your vehicle which makes it harder 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 means that they only function only when you're within a specific distance.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new key using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to secure their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.