How Cut Car Key Was The Most Talked About Trend Of 2023
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car you'll need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. 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 onboard is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This stops thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a huge selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip that is required for the device to function.
Laser cut get car key cut are more secure than flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.
Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be 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 starts to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a long period of use the VATS module could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time a key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. Once enough wires are broken then the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.
You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is 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 is a great method to test a brand new key and check whether it will work in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start a car. They can also be an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking space, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality can mean that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that spends much of its time in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to put it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you need to take your key fob out every time you use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.
For most drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob in case you lose yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you'd spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you had your keys cut there are a variety of options available for you to choose from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your car which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.
Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to protect their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.