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Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle you'll need to have a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are tiny located in the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.

Car getting keys cut with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive key cutting near me stores, such as AutoZone. They have a huge variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the best one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.

There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of automobiles as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It is simply a block or carbon that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted to the 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 will start to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.

The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your own 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. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.

This method is also a great 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 could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the car keys cut by code. They can also be an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing the button. 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 additional functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that's frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

To secure a smart card you can put it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its case that is protected each time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

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

The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event you should have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken it is necessary to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.

There are several choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features.

Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a certain distance of your car.

If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, getting a new car key cut locksmith is able to create a new one with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.

You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to enhance the security of their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals transmitted by the key.