The Reasons To Work With This Cut Car Key
Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, functionality, and longevity of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The computer on board reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle which is needed to operate the device.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys 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 type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but is now available on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not designed to. how much to get car key cut are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This isn't a way to make a car theft proof however it can delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires can start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. 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 way to test a new key and determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Just be how much to get car key cut to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the car. They also function as a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot or activate it by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time snagging around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a protective case each time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and 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 new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For most drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob in case you misplace yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than what you'd buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with 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 a remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since you last had your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to choose from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.
Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can make a new key with a standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys 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 choice for those looking to safeguard their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.