Ten Cut Car Keys That Really Make Your Life Better

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complex process that guarantees safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle, you will require a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers in 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's the right one. This prevents car 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 car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start when the key is the right one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths that offer these services can make keys for cars with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, cut car keys which is required to use it.

Laser Cut Car Keys keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys cut for cars contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before the days of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached the key's blade, so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be 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 begins to run. This doesn't make a car secure from theft however it can delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and, over time, the wires can start to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.

You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key. Then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance of your key.

This method is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

key cut for car fobs of today do more than just unlock or start cars. A lot of them come with advanced features that many owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your car in a parking lot and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. That's a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features also means that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that is often time jostled around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

To secure a smart card to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you must remove your key fob every time you want to take it out of the protective case.

Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships or extended warranties, will cover the cost of an additional fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.

For most drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep a spare key or fob in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys there are a variety of alternatives to choose from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.

Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only function only when you're within a specific distance.

If you choose to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or Cut Car Keys a transponder. you will still be able to use your locks, trunk and doors.

Another alternative is to get your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to protect their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.