Here's An Interesting Fact Concerning Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The computer onboard is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by locksmiths that offer these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell keys with chips. These stores offer a wide variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now available in a variety of affordable cars as well.
Another kind of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those found on modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft, but it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a long period of use, the VATS module can begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires could start to break. Once he said are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.
The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is also a good way to test a new key to determine if it will work in your car. 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 car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They are also used as a security device and security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your car in a parking space or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities also means that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that spends much of its time snagging around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if have to take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the case.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will pay for a replacement fob or reimburse you in the event that it's lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
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 starter functions are. In any event, you should always have an extra fob or key in case in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, 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 made to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
There are several options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that come with the modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design an entirely new key using the standard cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk, locks and doors.
You can also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for people who want to add extra protection to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't be able to start.