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Car Key Cutting Explained

cutting key a car van key cutting is more than just bending metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.

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

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The onboard computer checks the serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.

The microchip in your car key transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip which is needed to use the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is most common in high-end cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at some locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every when the key is inserted. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.

You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs of today are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. They often have advanced features that most owners are not aware 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 locate your car in a parking space or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality can mean that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high cost to pay for a device that's often tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.

One method of protecting a smart key fob is to store it in an aluminum 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 want to use it from the protective case.

Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will cover the cost of a replacement fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.

The decision to buy a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event, you should always have an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would spend at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.

There are several options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.

Some of these modern features that come with modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only effective only when you're within certain distance.

If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design an entirely new key cutting car using the standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.

Another alternative is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who want to protect their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key and won't be able to start.