Car Key Cutting Explained

cutting car key a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that guarantees security, function and durability of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured within the last 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny inside the handle of your key that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer checks the serial number digitally of the chip prior to giving the car permission to start. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to use it.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of cars as well.

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 blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 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 machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys or vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of a VATS key is not a chip like those found on modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.

GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof however it can delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

After a lot of usage the VATS module may begin 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 wires break the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.

You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance value of your key.

This method is also a good way to test the new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start a car. They often 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, make sounding sounds to help find your vehicle in a parking lot and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functions. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.

Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for something that spends a lot of its time snagging around in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

One method of protecting a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you have to remove your key fob each time you take it out of the protective case.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith 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. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and begin 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 need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car Emergency key Cutting is damaged or lost it is necessary to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you got your keys cut, there are several different options to select from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.

Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a certain distance of your car.

If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.

Another option is to have your standard car cheapest key cutting near me replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for those looking to add extra protection to their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.