5 Qualities People Are Looking For In Every Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break in the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create car keys with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell them. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can help you find the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip which is needed to use the device.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines, or specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of cars as well.
Another kind of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected the key blades to them so that when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof however it could delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a long period of use, the VATS module can begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires may begin to break. When enough wires break the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key with the multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are visible on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance value of your key.
This is a great method to test a brand new key and check whether it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start a car. They can also be a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their additional functions. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that is often time snagging around in purses and pockets, where it is easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you have to take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the case.
Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships and extended warranties, will cover the cost of an additional fob, or reimburse you if it gets 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.
a cool way to improve of whether to buy an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event, you should always have 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. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken it is necessary to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.
Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys There are many options to choose from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only effective only when you're within a specific distance.
If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make a new key with an ordinary cutter machine that is available from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those looking to add extra protection to their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.