Cutting the car key cutting lowes key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car key cutting price will recognize the code and only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. They have a vast range of keys and will help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.
You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in a variety of affordable cars as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is 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 car from starting that it's not intended to. They are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned on in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted 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 begin to run. This isn't a way to make a car theft proof however it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each when the key is placed. Over time, the wires may start to break. When enough wires are broken then the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and see whether it will work in your car. Remove the key cutting services near me from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They are also a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking space, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose it. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have new keys made from the blank.
You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your car, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the distance of your car.
If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could make a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.
You can also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals coming from the key, and will not start.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.
