Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built within the past 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are in the key's handle and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you turn the key. The computer onboard checks the serial number digitally of the chip before giving the car permission to begin. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can make keys for cars with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. They have a huge selection of keys, and can help you find the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your car's chip that is required to operate the device.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles, however it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached the key blades to them 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 safe from theft, but it will delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires can start to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car will not begin.
The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key using the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This can also be a good method to test the new key to determine whether it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They are also a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help locate your vehicle in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. official source is a lot more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high cost to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near.
One method of protecting the smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case each time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new car dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store who offers key fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you misplace yours. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you'd buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as 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 put into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your car key has been damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you've cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others employ laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that are included in modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. official source are another anti-theft device. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only effective only when you're within a specific distance.
If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design a new key with a standard cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
Another option is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who want to safeguard their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.