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 longevity of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The computer onboard is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates 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 prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create keys for cars with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. They have a vast selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.
Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black 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 properly sized to carry an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned in the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof however it could delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and, over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires break then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is also a great way to test a new key to see if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They are also an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help locate your vehicle in a parking lot or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality can mean that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge cost to pay for a device that's frequently tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you have to remove your key fob every time you want to use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any case you should have a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you cut your keys, there are several different alternatives to choose from when it comes to having another copy made. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.
Some of these modern features that come with modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. online makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk and doors.
You can also replace your standard keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those looking to add extra protection to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.