Ten Cut Car Keys That Really Improve Your Life
Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle you'll need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the past 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you turn the key. The onboard computer examines the digital serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This prevents car thieves from taking over your vehicle since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell keys with chips. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars as well.
Another type of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is simply a block or carbon that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned on the ignition the coded signal is transmitted 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 car burglar-proof however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This method is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They also function as used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking space and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a steep cost to pay for a product that is often tossed around in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.
One method of protecting the smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob each time you want to take it out of the protective case.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will pay for a replacement fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and cut car keys anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only effective when you're within a certain distance.
If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, cut car keys and you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut car keys - please click the following article, version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your car, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.
