The Next Big Event In The Cut Car Key Industry

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys cut near me now to your car, or even have them break into the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your car key cutting and programming at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip in your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip that is required to use the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but is now available on many affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key cut service is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned on the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and, over time, the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires are broken then 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 as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.

This is a great method to test a brand new key and determine whether it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They are also an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you find your car in a parking lot and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high price for a device that is often tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter near.

One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to keep it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you have to take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the protective case.

Some newer policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranties, will cover the cost of replacing the fob or reimburse you in the event that it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.

The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and open the car, assuming you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.

Depending on how much time has passed since you last had your keys cut, there are several different options available for you places to get keys cut near me choose from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.

Some of these features that come with modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key cutting locksmith near me can be used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you're within a specific distance.

If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.

You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to protect their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.