Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be installed in cars that were built in the last 20 years. automobile keys made near me are tiny microchips in the handle of your key that transmit signals to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is most common in luxury cars, but is now available on a variety of affordable models.
Another kind of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not meant to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the blade of the key, so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car can 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 start to break. Once enough of the wires break, the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.
You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs 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 car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start cars. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a steep cost to pay for a device that is often jostled in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near.
One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to store it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its protective case each time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it must be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you had your keys cut, there are several different options available for you to choose from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features.
Some of these features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can 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 transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who want to secure their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.