You'll Never Guess This Cut Car Key's Benefits

Car Key Cutting Explained

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

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built in the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These chips are tiny microchips located in the handle of your key that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle.  mobile car key cutter  can help you program your car's chip which is needed to use the device.

You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.

Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen 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 device that can only be found at some locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before the days of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm 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 isn't a smart chip like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches 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 car burglar-proof however it could delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every when the key is inserted. Over time the wires can start to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.

You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and determine whether it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be used as a security device and security measure against theft, with many of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter near.

To protect a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you have to take your key fob out every time you use it from the case.

Some newer policies such as auto club memberships or extended warranties, will pay for an additional fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

For most drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. Always keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can unlock your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your car key has been lost or broken, you will need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.

There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.

Some of these modern features that come with modern-day keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within the range of your car.

If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make the new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.

Another alternative is to get your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.