5 Lessons You Can Learn From Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The computer in the car is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to know the unique serial number.

The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

mobile key cutting  with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a large range of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip which is needed to use the device.

There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in a variety of affordable cars as well.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to 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 vehicle safe from theft however it can delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved each time the key is placed. As time passes, the wires may start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.

You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs made of metal visible on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance value of your key.

This is a great way to test out a new key and see if it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking lot and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that is frequently tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To secure a smart card you can put it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case every time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.

Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships or extended warranties will pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you in the event that it's lost. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.

For most drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any case, you should always have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Plus,  look at here  offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, provided you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.

Depending on how long has passed since you last got your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to pick from when it comes time to get another copy made. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the distance of your vehicle.

If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

You can also replace your traditional car keys 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 want to protect their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.