15 Things You've Never Known About Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will require a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These microchips are tiny located in the handle of your key which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the correct one.  cut car keys price  will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a large selection of keys, and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not meant to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and 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 in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached the key blades to them so that, when the key is turned on, a coded signal is sent to 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 will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft however it can delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module could begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and, over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.

The good news is that you can fix this issue 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 is not that difficult. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This method can also be a good method to test a new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.

In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends a lot of its time in purses and pockets, where it is easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.

To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you have to remove your key fob each time you need to take it out of the protective case.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. 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.

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you'd buy from the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can open your locks and begin your car, provided you don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.

You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.

Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only work only when you're within certain distance.

If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could make a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk, locks, and doors.

Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those who want to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key and won't start.