Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured within the last 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle 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 stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle, as they would need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell keys with chips. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to use it.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now being used in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
Another kind of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will start to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft however it can delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and, over time, the wires could begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key with the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a new key and see whether it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They are also used as a security device and security measure against theft, with many of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a lot or call it up by pressing a button. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also have to be programmed by a dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends a lot of its time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it can be easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter nearby.
To secure a smart card, you can store it in a metal case or even 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, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware 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 case it is advisable to keep an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than what you would pay at 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 made to fit specific locks. They can open your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. why not find out more of using traditional keys is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only effective when you're within a certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder. you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.
You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those looking to enhance the security of their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals coming from the key and won't start.