Where Can You Get The Top Cut Car Key Information

Car Key Cutting Explained

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

It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or have them break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will require a replacement key cut.

Transponder Keys

If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer onboard checks the digital serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.

The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.

Locksmiths who provide these services can create car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car keys cut and programmed. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.

You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars too.

The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent the cheap car key cutting from starting that it's not designed to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.

VATS Keys

Before transponder keys and cars with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black 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 a specific electrical resistance value.

GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal matches 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 safe from burglary however, it can deter a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.

Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.

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

This is a great way to test a brand new key and check if it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.

Smart Key Fobs

Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking space, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.

In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a huge price for a device that's frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.

One method of protecting a smart key fob is to store it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if you need to take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the case.

Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover 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 copied at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.

For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would pay at a dealership.

Traditional Keys

The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open 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 the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.

Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you got your keys cut, there are several different options available for you to choose from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.

Some of these modern features that come with the modern-day keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the automobile keys made near me to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the distance of your car.

If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk, locks and doors.

Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys have special key cutting transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.