A Peek Inside The Secrets Of Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that car key cutting can always drive your vehicle, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are in the key's handle and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The onboard computer checks the serial number digitally of the chip prior to allowing the car to start. This prevents car theft as thieves would have 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 receiver within the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create car keys with chips. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a huge variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the best 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. They have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming device that can only be found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades so that, when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time a key is placed. Over time the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not begin.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance value of your key.
This method is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functions. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge cost to pay for a device that's often tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.
One way to protect a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you need to take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new car dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and open the car, provided you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you're within a specific distance.
If you choose to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can make a new key with a standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those looking to enhance the security of their automobiles. Laser cut cutting car key have special transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.