5 Lessons You Can Learn From Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees safety, functionality and the longevity of keys. It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car, you will need a new key cut. Transponder Keys Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car is able to verify the serial number digitally of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it. The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start when the key is the right one. This stops the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of theft of cars. Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell keys with chips. They have a vast variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can assist you in programming your car's chip that is required for the device to function. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in many affordable models of automobiles as well. The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key 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 to any of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths. Keys to VATS Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value. GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft however it can delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes. After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved each when the key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin. The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key. This is a great opportunity to test a new key and check if it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle. Smart Key Fobs Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are unaware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing a button. This is more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer. Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a steep price to pay for a device that is often tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to. To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case each time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology. Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning. For the majority of drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would buy from a dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional car keys are a single length of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and start the car, assuming you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it must be physically placed into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost it is necessary to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created. There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind. Some of these features that come with the modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within a specific distance of your car. If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk. Another alternative is to get your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. keys cut near me now were introduced was in the 1990s and are now a popular option for people who want to provide extra security to their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.