Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than simply shaping an object of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. 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 onboard checks the digital serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to begin. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be purchased at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. made a post 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 are more secure than flat keys because they have locks that are harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in a variety of affordable cars too.
Another type of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft however it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time the key is placed. As time passes the wires can begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.
You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key using the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is also a great way to test the new key to determine 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 not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security gadget or 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 allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities also means that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time snagging around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case every time you need to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships or extended warranties will pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any case, you should always have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you'd pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of options to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within the distance of your car.
If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder. you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.