Five Lessons You Can Learn From Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

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

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. You'll require an alternative car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips located in the key's handle that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can design keys for Car Keys Cut and Programmed cars with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to make it work.

You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another type of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key's blade, so that when the key is turned in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If it matches 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 vehicle secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each time the key is placed. As time passes the wires can begin 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 by 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 can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs of today are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high price for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to store it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case every time you want to use it is not getting a new car key cut good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, some newer car key cutting machine-insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.

For most drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can unlock your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.

Depending on how much time has passed since you last had your keys cut there are a variety of alternatives to select from when it comes to having another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only effective only when you're within a specific distance.

If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using a standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car keys cut and programmed (https://www.diggerslist.com/65f1b9a4354A8/about) it won't receive the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.