15 Things You've Never Known About Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will require a replacement key cut.

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If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These chips are tiny microchips located in the handle of your key that send signals to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.

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

Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to use it.

There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now being used 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 black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available 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 makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It's just a block or carbon that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned on, a coded message is sent to module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof however it can delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every when the key is placed. Over time, the wires may start to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll need a multimeter and a 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 made of metal on both sides of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and see whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number 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 gadget or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately,  car key cutting  means that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a huge cost to pay for a device that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to.

One way to protect 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 need to remove your key fob every time you take it out of the protective case.

Certain policies that are more recent, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will cover the cost of replacing the fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any case, you should always have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you would buy from the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key is lost or broken it is necessary to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys, there are several different options to select from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.

Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only function when you're within a certain distance.

If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

Another option is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.