Who's The Most Renowned Expert On Cut Car Key?
Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming the metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or even have them break into the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. They are also available at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip, which is required for the device to function.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys because they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in many affordable models of cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black 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 more expensive to buy and require a special key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS pellet in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned on, a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine begins to run. replacement car key cutting does not make a car safe from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a long period of use the VATS module may start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each when the key is placed. As time passes the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance value of your key.
This is also a great way to test a new key to see if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start a car. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your car in a lot or call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that's often jostled in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats 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.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to store it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you must take your key fob out every time you take it out of the protective case.
Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships and extended warranties, will pay for an additional fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision to purchase a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event you should have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.
There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you were able to cut your keys. replacement car key cutting employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you choose to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can create the new key using the standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to safeguard their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals emanating from the key, and will not start.