Ten Cut Car Keys That Really Make Your Life Better
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, efficiency, and longevity of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. You'll require an alternative car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips located in the key's handle that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer examines the serial number digitally of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in your car keys transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car key cutting price. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cut car keys cars with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. These stores have a large variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip which is needed to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to the fact that they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in a variety of affordable cars too.
Another type of car key that's difficult 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 fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of the car key cut and programed, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have a specific 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 is turned on, a coded message 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 will start to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof however it could delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and, over time, the wires could begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key. Then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance of your key.
This method can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it works in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking space and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a steep price to pay for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if need to take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the protective case.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships or extended warranties, will pay for a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
The decision to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any case, you should always have an extra fob or key in case in case you lose it. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and open the car, assuming you haven't changed them out for a smart key 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 traditional car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.
Some of these features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are embedded into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only function only when you're within certain distance.
If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can make an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to get your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version that has a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to protect their vehicles. Laser cut car Keys keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't start.
