10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, efficiency, and longevity of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are tiny microchips in the handle of your key that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer is able to verify the serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. They are also available at certain automotive key cutting stores, such as AutoZone. These stores offer a wide variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip which is needed to use the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting; check out here, machines or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end vehicles, however it is now being used in many affordable models of automobiles as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not meant to. These keys are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain 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 utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a 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 value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned on, a coded signal is sent to 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 begins to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module may begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every when the key is introduced. As time passes the wires can begin to break. Once enough of the wires are broken the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.

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

This is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. 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 with Smart Keys

honda pilot key cutting fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your get car key cut in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the 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 their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that is often time in pockets and purses, where it can be easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.

One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to put 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 must remove your key fob each time you use it from the protective case.

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 dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.

The decision to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you misplace yours. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional car key is that you need to 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 a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one made from the blank.

There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.

If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new key with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.

Another option is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.