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Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, efficiency and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.
mobile car key cutting are likely to be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are tiny in the handle of your key which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer checks the serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to begin. key cut place helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside your car keys transmits an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create car keys with chips. They are also available at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential to use it.
You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black 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 intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to verify that the correct key was 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 piece of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof however it could delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved each time the key is placed. Over time, the wires may start to break. When her response are broken, the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this issue 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's not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This method is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start a car. They can also be an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your car in a parking space or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that's often tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a case that is protected each time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.
The decision to purchase a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case, you should always have an extra fob or key in case in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you would spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken it is necessary to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you cut your keys there are a variety of alternatives to select from when it comes time to get another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that are included in modern-day 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 that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can make the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk and doors.
You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.