Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the past 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips in the key's handle that transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create car keys with chips. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip that 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 the fact that they have a lock that is 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 high-end cars, but it is now available in a wide range of low-cost cars too.
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 potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not meant to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as present on modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected the key's blade, so that when the key is turned in the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every when the key is placed. As time passes, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a new key and check whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. They are also used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also have to be programmed by a dealer.
In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time snagging around in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. They are typically used in combination 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.
To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you must remove your key fob every time you want to use it from the case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event, you should always have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart 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 traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.
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 or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a conventional, 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 less expensive than a key fob or a transponder. you can still operate your locks, trunk and doors.
Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those looking to add extra protection to their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.