Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. They have a huge variety of keys, and can help you find the best one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.
You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional 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 specially designed software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars as well.
Another kind of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not meant to. These keys are costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If it matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine begins to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft, but it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time the key is introduced. Over time the wires could start to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.
The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key using a multimeter. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and determine whether it works in your car. Make sure Going On this site remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the car. They are also a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking space and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One method of protecting a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a case that is protected each time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Some newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will cover the cost of an additional fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision to purchase a new fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, provided you don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of alternatives to select from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only work when you're within a certain distance.
If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to protect their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals emanating from the key and won't start.