Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just shaping the metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are tiny in the key's handle that send signals to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer is able to verify the serial number digitally of the chip prior to giving the car permission to start. This prevents thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car keys transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can make car keys with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell keys with chips. They have a vast range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can assist you in programming your car's chip that is required to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end cars but is now accessible on many affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those found on most modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If it matches 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 does not make a car safe from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires could begin to break. When enough wires are broken then the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. car key cutting and programming 'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This method is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They can also be used as a security device and security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to aid in locating your car in a lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing the button. That's a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high price to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.
To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you have to take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the protective case.
Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships and extended warranties can pay for an additional fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
The decision of whether to buy a new fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than what you would buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you had your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to pick from when it comes time to get another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these features that come with the modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key can be used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can make the new key using the standard cutter machine that is available from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to enhance the security of their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals coming from the key, and will not start.