Car Key Cutting Explained

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

It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle you'll require a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured within the last 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer onboard examines the serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.

The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in choosing the best one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to use it.

There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in many affordable models of automobiles as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), nearest key cutting - http://jejucordelia.com/eng/bbs/board.php?Bo_table=review_e&wr_id=166057, is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and 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 in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those found on most modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades in a way 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 theft proof however it can delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time a key is placed. Over time, the wires may begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.

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

This method is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking lot and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also have to be programmed by a dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends much of its time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.

One way to protect a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you have to remove your key fob each time you use it from the protective case.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto key cutting near me club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

For most drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you would spend at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken you'll need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.

There are several choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.

Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within a certain range of your car.

If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create an entirely new key using the standard cutter machine that is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and Nearest Key Cutting doors.

Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for people who want to enhance the security of their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.