Is Cut Car Key The Greatest Thing There Ever Was?

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny located in the handle of your key that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the right one. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.

The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a huge selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your car. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip, which is required for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another type of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can locksmith cut car keys be programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys and cars 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 an internal resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those used in modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches 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 doesn't make a car burglar-proof however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use, the VATS module can start 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 can begin to break. Once enough of the wires break, the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.

You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This method can also be a good method to test a new key to see whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start cars. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your vehicle in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a steep price for a product that is often jostled in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often used in combination 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 an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a case that is protected each time you want to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

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

For most drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you would pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. They can unlock your locks and start the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys, there are several different options to choose from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.

Some of these modern features that come with the modern-day keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key is used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only effective only when you're within a specific distance.

If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

You could also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are a popular option for laser key cutting those who want to secure their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.