Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built within the past 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key that send signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to start. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide range of keys and will help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another 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 fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. keys cut near me now in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires could start to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.
The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This method is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be an alarm system and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional features can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that is often time snagging around in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its protective case every time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision to purchase a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. Always keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys will open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have new keys made from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last got your keys cut There are many options available for you to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only effective only when you're within a specific distance.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to enhance the security of their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If get keys cut aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.