Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle you'll need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the key's handle and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The computer onboard checks the serial number digitally of the chip prior to allowing the car to start. This prevents thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. They have a huge selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the best one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end vehicles, however it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as present on modern keys. It is simply a block or carbon that is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected 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 the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every time a key is introduced. Over time the wires can begin to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great method to test a brand new key and check whether it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They also function as used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to help you locate your car in a lot or activate it by pressing a button. This is a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a huge cost to pay for a device that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its case that is protected each time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case, you should always have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you would spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it must be physically put into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.
Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you had your keys cut There are many options to choose from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. 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 distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to protect 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 car it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key, and will not start.