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Car Key Cutting Explained


Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, 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 you can always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the handle of your key that send signals to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car is able to verify the serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip inside your car keys transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Locksmiths that offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet black in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key, so that when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If it matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This doesn't make a vehicle theft proof however it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module could begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires may begin to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.

This can also be a good method to test the new key to determine if it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start a car. They often have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. This is a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that is often time snagging around in pockets and purses, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.

resource for this article of protecting the smart key fob is to put it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you have to remove your key fob each time you need to use it from the case.

Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event you should have an extra fob or key in case in case you lose it. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys will open your locks and begin your car, assuming you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key has been lost or broken, you will need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.

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

Some of these features that come with the modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you're within certain distance.

If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

Another alternative is to get your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.

Member since: Tuesday, October 15, 2024

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