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Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built within the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car thieves from taking over your vehicle since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a wide range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now available in a wide range of low-cost cars too.
Another kind of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is simply a block or carbon that is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades so that, when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from theft however it can delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every time the key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and see if it works in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart 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 may not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing the button. This is more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that spends much of its time in purses and pockets, where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To secure a smart card to protect it, you can place it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its case that is protected each time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Certain policies that are more recent, such as auto club memberships or extended warranties will pay for a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. auto key cutting machine can also save money on dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
The decision to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys there are a variety of options available for you to select from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.
Some of these features that come with modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create the new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.
You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to secure their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.
