Are Cut Car Key The Best There Ever Was?
Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than just forming the metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you turn the key. The computer onboard checks the serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is most common in luxury cars however, it is now available on many affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected the key's blade, so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be 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 begins to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires could start to break. Once enough of the wires are broken, 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 issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key using the multimeter. 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 method is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that many 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 sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking space, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot 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 at the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that is often time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it is easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to store it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its protective case every time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Some newer policies like auto club memberships and extended warranties will pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store who offers key fob cloning.
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. In any case it is advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case you lose it. If you have to purchase 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 pay at 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 open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.
You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features.
Some of these modern features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can make a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at most hardware stores. car key cutting price is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.
You could also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.