Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than just shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The onboard computer examines the serial number digitally of the chip prior to giving the car permission to start. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. They have a vast selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.
Another kind of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle 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.
Keys to VATS
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles 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 embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on 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 will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. Each 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 is lost and it won't start the car.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. cost of car key cutting 's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key with a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is also a good way to test a new key to see if it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise, the key may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start cars. Many of them have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your vehicle in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional features also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by 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's often tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to 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 keep it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a case that is protected 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 such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store who offers key fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one cut from the blank.
There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can make a new key with an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a 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 with a distinctive pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to protect their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.