The Cut Car Key Mistake That Every Beginner Makes
Car Key Cutting Explained Car key cutting is more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys. It is not unusual to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. You'll require an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times. Transponder Keys If your car was built in the past 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are tiny in the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer onboard checks the serial number digitally of the chip prior to allowing the car to begin. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it. The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars. Locksmiths that offer these services can make keys for cars with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to use it. There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now available in a variety of affordable automobiles as well. Another kind of key for cars that is hard 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 with one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle 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 some locksmiths. VATS Keys Before transponder keys and cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value. GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes. Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every time a key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car. The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your own 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 determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key. This is also a good way to test a new key to see if it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car. Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They also function as an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to aid in locating your car in a lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer. In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for something that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter. One method of protecting a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case every time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology. Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning. The decision to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. You should always keep a spare key or fob in case you misplace yours. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership. Traditional Keys The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys will open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them by an electronic key or a remote key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made. There are several choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced. Some of these advanced features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a specific distance of your car. If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to use your doors, locks and trunk. You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those looking to add extra protection to their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals from the key and won't be able to start.