Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that nearest key cutting can always drive your car, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are tiny located in the handle of your key that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car checks the digital serial number of the chip before it allows the car to begin. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. These stores offer a wide variety of keys, and can assist you in choosing the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip, which is required for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that 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 available in many affordable models of cars as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys 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 intended to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is simply a block or carbon that is sized to have an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module could begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition, and, over time, the wires may begin to break. Once enough of the wires break, the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal visible on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance value of your key.
This is also a good way to test a new key to see if it will work in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your vehicle in a parking lot, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. 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. They also require programming by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high cost to pay for a device that is often jostled in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually used in combination 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 key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you have to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the protective case.
Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships or extended warranties will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it's lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For the majority of drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event, you should always have a spare fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken, you will need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.
There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can make a new key with the standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder. you can still operate your trunk, locks, and doors.
You can also replace your standard keys to your car with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those who wish to enhance the security of their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.