Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right 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. They are also available at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will help you get the right one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip which is needed to operate the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars as well.
Another kind of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not designed to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the days of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If it matches 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 does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each time a key is placed. Over time the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out 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 metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great way to test a new key and see if it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock and 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 deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. However, key cutting services means that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.
key cutting car charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that is often time in purses and pockets, where it can be easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to.
One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to put it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case every time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies such as 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 by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case you should have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you cut your keys There are many alternatives to choose from when it comes to having another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. key cutting car makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only effective only when you're within a specific distance.
If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. you are still able to operate your trunk, locks and doors.
You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to enhance the security of their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.