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Blog entry by Joycelyn Flick

Ten Cut Car Keys That Really Help You Live Better

Ten Cut Car Keys That Really Help You Live Better

Car Key Cutting Explained

Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.

It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. You'll require a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built within the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These chips are tiny microchips inside the key's handle which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer on board reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car key cut will recognize the code and only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.

Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle, which is required to use the device.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys due to having locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.

Keys to VATS

Before transponder keys and vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those found on modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key, so that when the key is turned on the ignition the coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof however it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved each time a key is introduced. Over time, the wires may begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.

The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.

This method is also a great way to test a new key to determine if it will work in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys

Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking space and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed 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 access your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

One way to protect the smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if you need to remove your mobile key cutting fob every time you need to use it from the protective case.

Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.

The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event, you should always have a spare fob or key cutting locksmith near me 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. In addition, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you would pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The classic car key is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, assuming you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.

Depending on how much time has passed since you last had your keys cut there are a variety of options to pick from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.

Some of these features that are included in modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within a certain distance of your car.

If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can make a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.

Another alternative is to have your traditional car key cutting price key substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those looking to protect their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.Saab-logo.jpg

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