Who's The Top Expert In The World On Cut Car Key?

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break in the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These chips are tiny microchips in the handle of your key which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.

The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like 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 required to use it.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted 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 be activated and the engine will begin to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft, but it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time the key is inserted. Over time the wires could start to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.

The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.

This is a great method to test a brand new key and determine whether it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that many owners are unaware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. This is more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional features can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that spends a lot 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 developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

One method of protecting a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob each time you use it from the protective case.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer charges 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, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. You should always keep a spare key or fob in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would pay at the 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 made to fit specific locks. They can open your locks and begin your car, provided you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you got your keys cut there are a variety of options to select from when it comes to having another copy made. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these modern features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a certain distance of your car.

If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores.  similar web page  is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.

Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to safeguard their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key, and will not start.