The People Closest To Cut Car Key Uncover Big Secrets

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 have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle you'll need to have a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These chips are small microchips inside the handle of your key which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.

The microchip inside your spare car key cutting near me key transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in finding the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle which is needed to operate the device.

There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars, but is now available on a variety of affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days 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 uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned on in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof, but it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module could begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved each when the key is inserted. Over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough of the wires break the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to 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 by using the multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a new key and determine if it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to 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 for Keys

Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your car in a parking space or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities can mean that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will charge up to $100 to replace a single smart emergency key cutting fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that's often jostled in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter near.

One way to protect a smart key fob is to put it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case every time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.

The decision to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase 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'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, provided you haven't changed them out to a smart or 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 key from the past is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.

Depending on how long has passed since you last cut your keys, there are several different options available for you to choose from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.

Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a certain range of your car.

If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design a new key with a standard cutter machine that is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you can still operate your locks, trunk, and doors.

Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version that has a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who want to secure their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key cutting price.