How Cut Car Key Became The Hottest Trend In 2023
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, efficiency and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built within the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you turn the key. The onboard computer is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to start. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create car keys with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a huge variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys because they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end cars however, it is now available on many affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop them from starting a vehicle that it's not meant to. They are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades so that, when the key was turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with 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 doesn't make a car burglar-proof however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires may start to break. Once enough of the wires are broken then the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.
You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and see if it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the car. They also function as used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their additional functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a steep price to pay for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.
One way to protect the smart key fob is to store it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you need to take your key fob out every time you use it from the protective case.
local key cutting of the newer policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranties, will pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you in the event that it's lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For the majority of drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any case you should have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than what you would pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one made from the blank.
There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you've cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft device. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only work only when you're within a specific distance.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals from the key and won't start.