Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, efficiency, and longevity of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are small microchips inside the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The computer onboard examines the serial number of the chip before allowing the car to start. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. They are also available at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to use it.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or with specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now being used in many affordable models of cars as well.
Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. key car cutting that is in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the 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 vehicle secure from theft however it will delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every time a key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may start to break. When enough wires are broken, the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and see whether it will work in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a steep price to pay for a device that's often jostled in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to keep it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if need to take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
For most drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. We also offer an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, provided you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.
You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you were able to cut your keys. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Some of these modern features that come with modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key is used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a specific distance of your car.
If you decide to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design the new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to secure their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.