Seven Reasons To Explain Why Cut Car Key Is Important

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key 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 keys or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle, you will require a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The onboard computer checks the serial number of the chip before it allows the car to begin. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car key transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who cuts car keys near me provide these services can make keys for cars with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in luxury cars but is now accessible on many affordable models.

Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not meant 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 or cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected the key blades to them so that when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to 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 will start to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft, but it will delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires could begin to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.

The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself 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's not difficult at all. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance value of your key.

This method can also be a good method to test the new key to determine if it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start a car. They often have advanced features that many owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security gadget or a theft deterrent. 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 the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for something that is often time in purses and pockets, where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near.

One method of protecting the key fob's RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you must remove your key fob each time you want to take it out of the protective case.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like 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 how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event, you should always have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than the price you'd buy from a 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 open the car, provided you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last cut your keys, there are several different options available for you to choose from when it comes time to get another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.

Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the range of your car.

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

You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for people who want to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.