Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, efficiency and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These chips are small microchips inside the handle of your key that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This stops thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. They are also available at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. They have a huge selection of keys, and can assist you in choosing the best one for your car. They can help you program your vehicle's chip that is required to use the device.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black 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 meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They 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 matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. key cutter in the ignition are moved every when the key is placed. As time passes the wires can start to break. Once enough wires are broken then the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This can also be a good method to test the new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start a car. They also function as an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a steep price to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To secure a smart card 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. However, having to take the key fob from a protective case every time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Fortunately, Click Link of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For the majority of drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any case it is advisable to keep a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
There are several choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these features that come with modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only effective when you're within a certain distance.
If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you can still operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another option is to have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.