Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you turn the key. The computer in the car is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can assist you in finding the right one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to make it work.
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 with specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). official source uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected 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 matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every when the key is placed. As time passes the wires can begin to break. When enough wires break then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with the multimeter. You can determine 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 a new key and see whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed, the key may have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start a car. They also function as an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you find your car in a parking space or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high cost to pay for a device that is often tossed around in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case every time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, 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 dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case in case you lose it. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than what you would buy from a 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, as long as you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have new keys made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you got your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to choose from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your car which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only effective only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. you will still be able to use your trunk, locks and doors.
You can also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become a popular choice for those looking to secure their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.