The Cut Car Key Mistake That Every Beginning Cut Car Key User Makes
Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These chips are tiny microchips located in the handle of your key that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment, or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now available in a variety of affordable 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 in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not meant to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right 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 like the ones found on modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof however it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every when the key is introduced. Over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and check whether it works in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. car keys cut and programmed can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends much of its time snagging around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.
To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you have to remove your key fob every time you want to use it from the case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. They can open your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.
Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you had your keys cut, there are several different options available for you to pick from when it comes time to get another copy made. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with the modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the range of your car.
If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular option for those who wish to secure their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.