10 Quick Tips For Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.
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 the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer onboard examines the digital serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to start. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can design car keys with chips. They are also available at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. They have a huge range of keys and can help you find the right one for your car. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip that is required for the device to function.
You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars however, it is now available on many 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 fifteen possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft however it can delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each time a key is inserted. Over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires break then the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This method can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They also function as a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot or call it up by pressing the button. This is more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality also means that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a huge price to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in pockets and purses 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, like relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to put it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob every time you take it out of the protective case.
Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can pay for an additional fob, or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also save money on new-car dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will open your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it must be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have new keys made from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you got your keys cut there are a variety of options to select from when it comes to getting another copy made. get car key cut are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Some of these advanced features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you decide to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder, and you can still operate your trunk, locks, and doors.
You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version with 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. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.