The Hidden Secrets Of Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed in the last 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny located in the handle of your key that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer scans the digital serial numbers inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car thieves from taking over your vehicle, as they would need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car.  car key cutting near me  will only start only if it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end cars but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.

Another type of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those used in modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted 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 will start to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof however it could delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This method is also a great way to test a new key to determine if it will work in your car. Remove the ignition key 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 just a way to unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing the button. This is more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time snagging around in purses and pockets, where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To protect a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you must take your key fob out every time you use it from the case.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, provided you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you got your keys cut, there are several different options available for you to pick from when it comes to getting another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these features that are included in modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.

If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those looking to safeguard their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't be able to start.