Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, efficiency, and longevity of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or even have them break into the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The onboard computer examines the serial number digitally of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. They have a vast 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 necessary for it to function.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars but is now accessible on many affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and 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 regular key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades so that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message 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 secure from theft however it can delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires could begin to break. When enough wires break then the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. 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 a great opportunity to test a new key and 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 not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the car. They can also be used as a security device and security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking space and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their additional functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that is often time jostled around in pockets and purses, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you have to take your key fob out every time you use it from the protective case.
Some newer policies such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can cover the cost of a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In key cutting services near me , you should always have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have new keys 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 create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become a popular choice for those who want to safeguard their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals from the key and won't be able to start.