10 Places Where You Can Find Cut Car Key

Car Key Cutting Explained

Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.

It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The computer on board reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to know the unique serial number.

The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. They are also available at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is required for it to function.

Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in getting a key cut near me wide range of low-cost cars too.

Another type of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended 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 automobiles equipped with 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 pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key's blade, so that when the key cutting cost is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

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

The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance of your key.

This is a great way to test a brand new key and determine whether it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car key cut.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the car. They can also be a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.

Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a huge price to pay for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to.

One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case each time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.

Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties will pay for an additional fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit in most 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 grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can locksmith cut Car keys open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart 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 car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.

Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you got your keys cut, there are several different options to pick from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.

Modern keys are equipped with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only function only when you're within certain distance.

If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can make a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk and doors.

Another option is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals emanating from the key, and will not start.