3 Ways The Cut Car Key Can Influence Your Life
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you turn the key. The onboard computer examines the serial number digitally of the chip before it allows the car to start. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can make car keys with chips. They are also available at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in choosing the best one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle, which is required to use the device.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles however, it is now available on many affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) local key cutting is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It's just a block or carbon that is sized to have an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted to the 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 isn't a way to make a car safe from theft, but it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved each when the key is inserted. Over time the wires can begin to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This method can also be a good method to test a new key to determine if it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that many owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking space, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional features can mean that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than standard 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 key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time snagging around in pockets and purses, where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob each time you need to use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost to get a key cut of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For most drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on how important your Car Key blade cutting's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. You should always keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than what you'd pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it cost to get a key cut fit into a particular lock. They can open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you need cost to get a key cut physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.
There are several choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only effective only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can make a new key with an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you can still operate your trunk, locks and doors.
Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.