Where Can You Get The Best Cut Car Key Information
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex 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. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents car thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in the mobile key cutting service transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can design car keys with chips. They are also available at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.
There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser mobile key cutting cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models.
Another kind of car Van key cutting that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. They are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip as present on modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance.
GM employed 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 module. If the signal matches the signal 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 safe from theft however it can delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires can start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. 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 method to test a brand new car key cut key and determine if it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start a car. Many of them have advanced features that many owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry or activate it by pressing the button. This is more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also require to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time in purses and pockets where it can be easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case each time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
For most drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any event you should have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, assuming you don't swap them out to a smart or remote van key cutting. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.
There are several choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are embedded into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only effective when you're within a certain distance.
If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals coming from the key and won't start.
