This History Behind Cut Car Key Will Haunt You Forever
From Shiapedia
car key cut Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even break it in 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 within the past 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips located in the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer examines the serial number digitally of the chip before giving the car permission to begin. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle, as they would need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create car keys with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys cut in my area. They 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 specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost 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 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. They are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a Key Cutting Places with an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the spare car key cut. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the signal 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 secure from theft however it can delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved each time a key is inserted. Over time the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test out a new key and see whether it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key cut place near me from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking space or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also have to be programmed by a dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that spends much of its time in purses and pockets, where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near.
To secure a smart card you can put it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its protective case every time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision to buy a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional key is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last cut your keys, there are several different options to select from when it comes to having another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.
Some of these features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work when you're within a certain distance.
If you decide to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create the new key using the standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.
