The Hidden Secrets Of Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle, you will require a replacement car key cutting key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The computer onboard examines the serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the cheap car key cutting near me. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.
You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional 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 specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost to get a key cut models.
Another type of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it'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 the days 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 an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned in the ignition 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 starts to run. This isn't a way to make a car safe from theft, but it will delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires may begin to break. Once enough of the wires are broken, the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance value of your key.
This method is also a good way places to get keys cut near me test a new key to see whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start a car. They also function as used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your vehicle in a parking lot, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also require to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a steep price 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 moisture. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One method of protecting the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you need to take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the case.
Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships and extended warranties, will pay for a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and start the car, assuming you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key is lost or broken it is necessary to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you had your keys cut, there are several different options to select from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only effective only when you're within certain distance.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one with a standard key cutting car cutting machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.
