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Car Key Cutting Explained





Car key cutting is more than just forming the metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. They are also available at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will help you get the right one for your car. They can assist you in programming your car's chip, which is required for the device to function.

There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to the fact that they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of cars as well.

Another kind of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected the key's blade, so that when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires may start to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.

You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance of your key.

This is a great way to test a brand new key and determine if it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They also function as an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your car in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends much of its time snagging around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One method of protecting the key fob's RFID is to store it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if you have to remove your key fob every time you take it out of the protective case.

Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships or extended warranties, will pay for a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any event you should have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.

You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within certain distance.

If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could make a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than an electronic 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 substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. car key cutting near me were introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who want to safeguard their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.