15 Things You Don't Know About Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car you'll require a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips inside the key's handle that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer on board detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by locksmiths that offer these services. They can also be purchased at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip which is needed to operate the device.

You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having locks that are harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles, but is now available 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 in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance.

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 in the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with 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 vehicle secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved each time a key is placed. Over time the wires could start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.

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

This is a great way to test out a new key and check if 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 may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.

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Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the car. They also function as an alarm system and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to call it up by pressing a button. This is more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a huge cost to pay for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.

One way to protect a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you must take your key fob out every time you take it out of the protective case.

Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships and extended warranties can cover the cost of an additional fob or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.

The decision to buy a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event you should have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than what you would spend at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and open the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.

There are several options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've had your keys cut. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.

Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the distance of your vehicle.

If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could make a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you can still operate your locks, trunk, and doors.

Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those who wish to enhance the security of their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.