10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, efficiency and the longevity of keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll need to have a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips inside the key's handle that send signals to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.

The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can make car keys with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle that is required to use the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.

Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) motorcycle key cutting near me. The keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those found on modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value.

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 the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If it matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine begins to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.

After a long period of use the VATS module may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time a key is inserted. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. Once enough wires are broken then the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.

You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.

This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and determine if it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key car cutting first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be an alarm system and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to aid in locating your car in a lot or summon it by pressing a button. This is more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features can mean that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends much of its time snagging around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.

One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to put it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a case that is protected each time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties will pay for an additional fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store 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 event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case in case you lose yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. In addition, key cutting our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.

Traditional Keys

Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.

There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be 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 incorporated into the key cutting open now to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within the range of your car.

If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make the new key using a standard cutter machine that is available from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.

You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.