The Next Big Trend In The Cut Car Key Industry

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutter cutting is more than just shaping the metal. It is a complex process that guarantees safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. You'll require a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips inside the handle of your key which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.

The microchip inside your car keys transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Locksmiths that offer these services can make keys for cars with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.

You can also get laser cut getting keys cut, which are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be found at some 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 uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet 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 carbon block appropriately sized to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades so that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded message is sent 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 long period of use the VATS module could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each when the key is inserted. As time passes the wires can start to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.

The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This method is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not, the key cutting price may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your car in a parking space and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities can mean that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that is often time in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.

One method of protecting the key fob's RFID is to store it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case every time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.

The decision to purchase an additional fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event you should have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, provided you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.

There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.

Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only function only when you're within a specific distance.

If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk and doors.

Another alternative is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser car key cutting service near me-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those looking to safeguard their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't receive the signals from the key, and will not start.