7 Tips About Cut Car Key That Nobody Can Tell You

Car Key Cutting Explained

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

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

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are tiny located in the handle of your key that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer checks the serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car keys transmits a low-level 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 only start only if it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can create car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to make it work.

There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of cars too.

Another kind of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available at certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it's simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected the key blades to them so that when the key was turned on, a coded signal is sent to module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each when the key is inserted. Over time the wires could begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not begin.

The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This is also a good way to test the new key to determine whether it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs for Keys

Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start a car. They also function as an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. This is more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a steep price for a device that's often tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.

One method of protecting a smart key fob is to put it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if you must remove your key fob each time you need to use it from the case.

Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages 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 dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store who offers key fob cloning.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

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

There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these features that come with modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only function when you're within a certain distance.

If  key cutting open now  opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder, and you can still operate your trunk, locks and doors.

Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to protect their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.