The One Cut Car Key Mistake Every Beginner Makes

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.

It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break in the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer on board reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to know the unique serial number.

The microchip inside your car keys transmits a low-level radio signal to the car key cut's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who cuts car keys near me provide these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. They have a huge range of keys and can help you find the appropriate one for your car. They can assist you in programming your car's chip that is required for the device to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys because 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 luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of automobiles as well.

Another type of mobile key cutting for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance value.

GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine will start to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft, but it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use 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 introduced. Over time the wires could start to break. Once enough of the wires break, the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.

The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. You can determine 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 out a new key and determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs of today can do more than 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 might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a huge price for a product that is often tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near.

To secure a smart card to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob each time you want to take it out of the protective case.

Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships and extended warranties will cover the cost of a replacement fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at the 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 start and entry functions. In any case it is advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd spend at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will unlock your locks and open the Car Key cutting Service near me, provided you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.

There are several options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that are specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within a specific range of your car.

If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk and doors.

Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to enhance the security of their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.