10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Cut Car Key

car key cutting near me prices Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than just shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.

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

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell keys with chips. They have a vast selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.

Another kind of car keys cut by code key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades so that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with 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 however it could delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every time the key is inserted. As time passes the wires could begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not begin.

The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal visible on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key.

This method is also a good way to test a new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. 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 may not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start a car. They are also a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your vehicle in a parking lot and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.

In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that is often time snagging around in purses and pockets where it can be 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. These are often combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter near.

One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents 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 of the newer policies such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties will cover the cost of replacing the fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

For the majority of drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep a spare fob or key in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you'd pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and open the car, assuming you don't swap them out for a smart key or 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 traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.

Depending on how much time has passed since you last cut your keys, there are several different options available for you to select from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting car keys near me machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.

Some of these features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a certain distance of your car.

If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk, locks, and doors.

You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for those looking to add extra protection to their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key and won't start.