The Next Big Event In The Cut Car Key Industry

Car Key Cutting Explained Car key cutting is more than just shaping the metal. auto key cutting machine is a complex process that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys. It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or even have them break into the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your car at all times. Transponder Keys Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers 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 is the correct one. This prevents thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number. The microchip inside your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This prevents “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars. Locksmiths who offer these services can design car keys with chips. They are also available at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a wide range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle, which is required for the device to function. Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars too. Another kind of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, 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 uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It's just a block or carbon that is sized to provide an electrical resistance value. GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached them to key blades so that when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal is in line with the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof however it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes. After a lot of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved each time the key is introduced. Over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start. You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. All you need 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 determine the resistance of your key. This method is also a great way to test a new key to determine whether it works 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 can do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that most owners are unaware of. car keys cut and programmed can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot or activate it by pressing the button. That's a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer. Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time jostled around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter. One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you must take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the protective case. Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will cover the cost of an additional fob, or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning. For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership. Traditional Keys Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can unlock your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank. Depending on how long has passed since you last got your keys cut There are many alternatives to pick from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features. Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within the distance of your vehicle. If you opt 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 cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk. Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was 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 contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.