Ten Cut Car Keys That Really Help You Live Better

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complicated 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. To ensure that you can you get car keys cut always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The computer on board detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. They have a huge range of keys and can help you find the right one for your car. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.

You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a variety of affordable cars as well.

Another kind of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not meant to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the blade of the key to ensure that, when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal 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 starts to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof however it could delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module could begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time a key is inserted. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.

You can solve this issue at home 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 is not difficult at all. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance value of your key.

This is a great method to test a brand new key and determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start a car. They are also a security device and a theft deterrent, cut car Keys with many of them featuring advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. This is a lot more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality can mean that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high price for a device that is often tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are usually 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.

To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a case that is protected each time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on dealership charges and get your fob cut car keys at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.

The decision of whether to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any case you should have a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars 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 start your car, provided you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.

You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others use laser-cut car keys near me keys that are made with security features in mind.

Some of these advanced features that come with the modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only function only when you're within certain distance.

If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you can still operate your locks, trunk, and doors.

You can also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to protect their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.