The Next Big Trend In The Cut Car Key Industry

Car Key Cutting Explained

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

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or even have them break into the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer in the car checks the serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to start. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car keys cut and programmed will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the right one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.

Locksmiths who offer these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. They are also available at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a huge selection of keys, and can help you find the best one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to use it.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting; recommended you read, equipment or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now available in a variety of affordable automobiles as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those found on most modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message 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 starts to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every when the key is inserted. As time passes the wires could begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.

You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This method is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it works in your car key cutting near me. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of 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 sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functions. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.

In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends much of its time in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to store it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a case that is protected each time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. 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 most drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys, there are several different options to pick from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.

Some of these modern features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key cutting locksmith near me is used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within the range of your car.

If you choose to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design 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 a transponder key, and you'll be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.

Another option is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those looking to enhance the security of their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.