Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are tiny in the key's handle that send signals to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer on board detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell them. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the best one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.
There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional 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 technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now available in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.
Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those used in modern smart keys, it's simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine begins to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof however it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
After a long period of use, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time a key is placed. As time passes the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.
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. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and determine whether it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry or call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge price for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to keep it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its protective case each time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships and extended warranties, will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to buy an additional fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved 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 a remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your car key has been damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you cut your keys There are many options available for you to choose from when it comes to getting another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these features that come with modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. get car keys cut is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.
You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to protect their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.