15 Things You've Never Known About Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just forming an object of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and long-term use 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 need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built within the past 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips located in the key's handle which transmit an electronic signal to the car'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 helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. They have a vast selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now being used in many affordable models of cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not designed to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof however it could delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires could start to break. When enough wires are broken then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.
This is also a good way to test the new key to determine if it will work in your car. 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 work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or summon it by pressing the button. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their additional functions. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that spends a lot of its time snagging around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.
One method of protecting the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you must remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
For most drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. Always keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart 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 an alternative one cut from the blank.
There are several options to select from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. key cutting services utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only function only when you're within a specific distance.
If you choose to use a traditional key, your locksmith can create a new key with a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If cutting car keys near me are not installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.