The People Closest To Cut Car Key Share Some Big Secrets

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping the metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. You'll need an alternative spare car key cut key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer onboard checks the digital serial number of the chip before it allows the car to begin. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.

The microchip inside your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Locksmiths who offer these services can make keys for cars with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can help you program your vehicle's chip, which is required to use the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in a variety of affordable cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The 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 prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS automotive key cutting isn't an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to hold 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 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 doesn't make a car theft proof, but it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each when the key is introduced. Over time, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter as well as getting a key cut near me chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's 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 is a great opportunity to test out a new key and see whether it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the car. They can also be an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to activate it by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge price to pay for a device that is often jostled in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to.

To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if must take your key fob out every time you need to take it out of the protective case.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new car key cutting cost dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.

For most drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than what you'd pay at the 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. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key has been damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.

You have a few options to select from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.

Some of these modern features that are included in modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within a specific distance of your car.

If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can make a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

Another alternative is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't receive the signals emanating from the key, and will not start.