7 Secrets About Cut Car Key That Nobody Will Share With You

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car, you will need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The computer in the car is able to verify the serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can help you get a car key cut the right one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip that is required to use the device.

You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now being used in many affordable models of automobiles as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet in the center of the VATS key isn't a chip like those found on modern smart keys, it's simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to 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 doesn't make a vehicle secure from theft however it can delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use, the VATS module can start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires may start to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.

The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance value of your key.

This method is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

One way to protect the smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if must remove your key fob every time you want to use it from the case.

Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will cover the cost of an additional fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.

For the majority of drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event you should have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. We also offer an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. They can unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you had your keys cut there are a variety of options available for you to pick from when it comes to getting another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only function only when you're within a specific distance.

If you choose to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design a new key with an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or copy transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks and doors.

You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to add extra protection to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.