How Cut Car Key Became The Hottest Trend In 2023
Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming an object of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure that you can 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 in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car checks the digital serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a vast selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. car key cuts have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming device that can only be found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those used in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft however it can delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires can start to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.
You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. 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 the new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing a button. That's a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high price for a device that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often 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.
To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the case.
Some newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties can pay for a replacement fob or reimburse you in the event that it is lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any case it is advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and open the car, assuming you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it must be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you got your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to pick from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Some of these modern features that come with the modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key is used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design a new key with a standard cutter machine that is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder. you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't receive the signals emanating from the key, and will not start.