This History Behind Cut Car Key Will Haunt You Forever

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.

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

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured within the past 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny in the handle of your key which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer on board reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits a 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 taking cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell them. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to use it.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.

Another type of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key cutting price programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected the key's blade so that when the key is turned in the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires could begin to break. When enough wires are broken, the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.

You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.

This method is also a great way to test a new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start a car. They can also be a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their additional functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high price for a product that is often tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.

One way to protect a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob every time you use it from the case.

Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties will cover the cost to get car key cut of a replacement fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on new-car key cutting service dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith laser cut keys near me or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.

The decision to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep a spare key cutting (www.metooo.co.uk) fob or key on hand in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. We also offer an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys cutting near me will unlock your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.

You have a few options to select from based on how long it has been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Some of these features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a certain range of your car.

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

Another alternative is to get your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to protect their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.