The Hidden Secrets Of Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or have them break in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle you'll require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips inside the key's handle that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell keys with chips. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip that is required to operate the device.
There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible on many affordable models.
Another kind of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not intended to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If it 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. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft however it can delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires can start to break. Once enough wires break, the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.
nearest key cutting is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great way to test a new key and determine whether it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock and start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you find your car in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that spends much of its time in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.
One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or an 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 every time you use it from the case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision of whether to buy an additional fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you misplace yours. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and open the car, assuming you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.
There are several choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you've had your keys cut. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these modern features that come with modern types of keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key is used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within the distance of your car.
If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
Another alternative is to get your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who wish to secure their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't receive the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.