The Reasons You'll Want To Learn More About Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break through 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 fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in 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 if it recognizes this code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called 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 located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned on, a coded message 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 vehicle safe from theft however it can delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and, over time, the wires can begin to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. 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 way to test a new key and see whether it will work in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They are also an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or activate it by pressing the button. This is more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.
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 ease of use of this technology is diminished if you have to take your key fob out every time you want to take it out of the protective case.
Some newer policies, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties will cover the cost of a replacement fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
The decision to purchase a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it has to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.
You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've had your keys cut. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these advanced features that come with the modern-day keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. www.g28carkeys.co.uk ensures that only the right key is used to start your car 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 can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work when you're within a certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to safeguard their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.