Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping an object of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are tiny in the key's handle that send signals to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car reads 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 have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the right one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. car key cutting price have a large variety of keys, and can help you find the best one for your car. They can help you program your vehicle's chip that is required to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are harder to pick. auto key cutting are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.
Another kind of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on in the ignition the 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 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 will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car may 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 can start to break. Once enough wires are broken then the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This can also be a good method to test a new key to determine if it will work in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start cars. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your car in a parking lot and even 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. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends much of its time in purses and pockets, where it can be easily dropped, damaged or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.
To secure a smart card you can put it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its case that is protected each time you need to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like 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 a spare fob or key 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 cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can open your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it must be physically placed into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have new keys made from the blank.
You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you cut your keys. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these advanced features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only effective when you're within a certain distance.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk locks, 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 early 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to safeguard their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically have special 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 respond to the signals transmitted by the key.