motorcycle key cutting Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, efficiency and the longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. You'll require a new car key in order to ensure you can 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 inside the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by locksmiths that offer these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. They have a huge selection of keys, and can help you find the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip that is required to operate the device.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are harder to pick. replacement car key cutting are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every time the key is inserted. As time passes the wires can start to break. When enough wires break, the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key by using the multimeter. All you have 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, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance value of your key.
This method is also a good way to test the new key to determine whether it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They also function as a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your car in a lot or call it up by pressing a button. This is a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a steep price for a device that is frequently tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One way to protect a smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you must remove your key fob each time you need to take it out of the protective case.
Some newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties, will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For most drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. You should always keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you would pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one cut from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you got your keys cut there are a variety of options available for you to pick from when it comes to having another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.
Some of these advanced features that come with modern-day keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks and doors.
Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to safeguard their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically 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 receive the signals coming from the key and won't start.