Ten Cut Car Key-Related Stumbling Blocks You Shouldn't Post On Twitter
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle you'll need to have a replacement key cut.
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 are using it. The onboard computer checks the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide range of keys and will help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle that is required for the device to function.
You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular 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 as present on modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned on, a coded message 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 car safe from burglary however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
After a long period of use the VATS module may start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires could start to break. Once enough of the wires break, the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This can also be a good method to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start cars. They are also used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your vehicle in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. It's a steep price to pay for a device that is often tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
To secure a smart card to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a case that is protected each time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. Always 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 vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. key cut places near me offer an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys will open your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using the traditional 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 have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have new keys cut from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last cut your keys There are many options to select from when it comes time to get another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these features that come with the modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your car which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only effective when you're within a certain distance.
If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.