Car Key Cutting Explained<br /><br />Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees security, functionality and the longevity of keys.<br /><br />It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.<br /><br />Transponder Keys<br /><br />Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are small microchips located in the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer scans the digital serial numbers within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to know the unique serial number.<br /><br />The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.<br /><br />Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. These stores have a wide range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle that is required to operate the device.<br /><br /><br /><br />Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys because they have locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines, or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.<br /><br />The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. 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 car that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.<br /><br />VATS Keys<br /><br />Before transponder keys or vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as present on modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.<br /><br />GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes.<br /><br />Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time the key is placed. Over time, the wires may start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not begin.<br /><br />You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key with a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.<br /><br />This is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key 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.<br /><br />Smart Key Fobs<br /><br />Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.<br /><br />In fact, some retailers will charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that spends much of its time snagging around in purses and pockets where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.<br /><br />To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob every time you want to take it out of the protective case.<br /><br />Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and 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 dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services.<br /><br />For the majority of drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.<br /><br />Traditional Keys<br /><br />The classic car key is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost you'll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.<br /><br />There are several options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.<br /><br />Some of these advanced features that come with modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key can be used to start your car, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a specific range of your car.<br /><br />If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you can still operate your locks, trunk and doors.<br /><br />You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular choice for those who want to protect their vehicles. <a href="https://www.g28carkeys.co.uk/borehamwood-auto-locksmiths-near-me/">g28carkeys</a> of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.<br /><br />