A Glimpse Into Cut Car Key's Secrets Of Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed within the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny inside the handle of your key that send signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car examines the serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to begin. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell them. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your car's chip that is required to operate the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in many affordable models of cars too.
Another kind of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars with 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 pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as present on modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted 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 isn't a way to make a car safe from theft, but it will delay the theft by at most 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 are moved each time a key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires are broken, the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine 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 the new key to determine whether it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start cars. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are unaware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. That's a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality 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.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for something that spends much of its time in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.
One method of protecting a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if have to take your key fob out every time you use it from the case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
For most drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you'd pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, assuming you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these features that are included in modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. car key cuts -theft features include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within the distance of your car.
If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.
You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't receive the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.