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Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. You will need a replacement car motorcycle key cutting to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the past 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny in the handle of your key that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car keys cut and programmed. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars with chips. Some car key cutting and programming dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip that is required for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that can only be located 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 utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key, so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is sent 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 isn't a way to make a car safe from theft, but it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time the key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires break the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. 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 find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a brand new Spare key cutting (www.google.Fm) and see whether it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing a button. This is more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a steep price to pay for a device that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close places to get keys cut near me.
One method of protecting the smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you have to take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as 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 the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and start the car, provided you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional key is that it has to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.
There are several options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you've were able to cut your keys. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and 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 keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you choose to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using a standard cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk and doors.
Another alternative is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those looking to enhance the security of their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.