Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, efficiency and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. You'll require a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips inside the key's handle which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell keys with chips. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to make it work.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is most common in luxury cars, but is now available on many affordable models.
Another type of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as 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 that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached the key blades to them so that when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal is in line with the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module could begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every time the key is inserted. Over time the wires can start to break. Once enough of the wires break then the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start a car. They also function as a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing the button. This is more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends much of its time snagging around in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. Going On this site are typically utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard the smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its case that is protected each time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any case it is advisable to keep a spare fob or key 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 easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you cut your keys, there are several different options available for you to select from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these advanced features that come with modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within the range 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 which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.