Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips inside the handle of your key that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car is able to verify the serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to begin. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle 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. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They are also available at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. They have a vast range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of cars as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not designed to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches 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 however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module could begin to wear out. automotive key cutting is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and over time the wires can begin to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance value of your key.
This is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. 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 vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking space, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features can mean that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for something that spends a lot of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if must remove your key fob each time you need to use it from the case.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For most drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event you should have a spare fob or key in case you lose it. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last got your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only effective only when you're within a specific distance.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can create an entirely new key using the standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
You can also replace your standard keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular choice for those who want to secure their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.