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Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees security, functionality and long-term use of the 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 will require a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are small microchips inside the handle of your key that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer on board detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.

The microchip in your mobile car key cutting key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell keys with chips. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle that is required to operate the device.

You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of the VATS key isn't a chip like those found on modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.

GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades so that when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time a key is placed. Over time the wires can begin to break. Once enough of the wires break then the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.

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

This is a great opportunity to test out a new key and see whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start a car. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking space or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality also means that smart nearest Key cutting fobs may be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need 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 product that is often jostled in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.

To protect a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key cutting locksmith near me fob from a protective case each time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

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

For most drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event you should have a spare fob or key in case you lose it. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one made from the blank.

There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.

Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your car which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys 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 only work when it's within the distance of your vehicle.

If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can make the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.

You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to protect their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.