3 Ways In Which The Cut Car Key Will Influence Your Life

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be installed in cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer onboard examines the serial number of the chip before allowing the car to start. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car key transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a huge selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle, which is required to use the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys feature 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 costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available at certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal is in line with 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 theft proof however it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires could start to break. Once enough wires break then 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 problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key with a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance of your key.

This is a great way to test out a new key and determine whether it works in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners might not be aware of.  key cutter  can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to activate it by pressing the button. This is more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high price for a device that is often jostled in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its case that is protected each time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.

The decision to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than you'd spend at the 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 designed to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote 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 key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.

There are several options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.

Some of these modern features that come with modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific distance of your car.

If you choose to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.

You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.