10 Life Lessons We Can Take From Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the handle of your key that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer checks the digital serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to begin. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.

The microchip in your car keys transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.

Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of automobile keys made near me and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle that is required to use the device.

There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specially designed software. This technology is most common in luxury cars however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models.

Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the 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 starts to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every when the key is introduced. As time passes the wires can start to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.

You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance value of your key.

This is a great method to test out a new key and see whether it will work in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry or activate it by pressing the button. That's a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.

Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a huge price for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.

To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case each time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Some newer policies such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can pay for an additional fob, or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.

The decision to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. You should always keep a spare mobile key cutting near me or fob on hand in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you'd spend at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.

Depending on how long has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of options available for you to select from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a specific distance of your car.

If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make a new key with an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder key cutting near me, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.

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