Seven Reasons Why Cut Car Key Is So Important
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These chips are small microchips inside the handle of your key which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer is able to verify the serial number digitally of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car key cutting price. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a large variety of keys, and can help you find the best one for your car. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.
Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected the key's blade 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 starts to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft, but it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module may start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and over time the wires can begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and see whether it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start cars. Many of them have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your vehicle in a parking lot and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a steep price for a device that is often tossed around in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.
To protect a smart fob you can put it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case every time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Some newer policies like auto key cutting club memberships or extended warranties will pay for an additional fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on new car dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.
For most drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event, you should always have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and open the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it must be physically placed into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you cut your keys There are many options available for you to choose from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these modern features that come with modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft feature. They are embedded into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only effective when you're within a certain distance.
If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for people who want to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't receive the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.
