Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. car keys cutting and programming are situated in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The 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 prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can make car keys with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can help you find the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to use it.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in luxury cars, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys and vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet black in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent 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 starts to run. This isn't a way to make a car safe from theft however it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
After a long period of use, the VATS module can start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key with the multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key. Then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance of your key.
This method can also be a good method to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. 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
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities also means that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high price for a device that's often tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.
To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you must remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the case.
Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships and extended warranties can cover the cost of an additional fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event, you should always have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.
There are several options to select from based on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design a new key with 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.
You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.