Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just forming the metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside your car keys transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell keys with chips. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.
You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible on many affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned on, a coded signal is sent to 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 begins to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a lot of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every time a key is introduced. Over time the wires could begin to break. Once enough of the wires break then the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key using the multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This method can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed, the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the car. They also function as an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you find your vehicle in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high cost to pay for a device that's frequently tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.
One way to protect the smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a protective case every time you 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 pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
For most drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, provided you don't swap 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 to start the car. If car key cut is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you got your keys cut there are a variety of options to select from when it comes to getting another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with modern-day keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new key with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those looking to enhance the security of their vehicles. car key cutting of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.