Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The computer on board detects the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. automotive key cutting near me will only begin when it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can make keys for cars with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip which is needed for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment, or with specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end cars, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not designed to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected the key blades to them so that, when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof however it could delay a thief for at least 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, over time, the wires could start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs made of metal visible on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance of your key.
This is a great method to test out a new key and check whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the car. They are also a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your car in a lot or call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that is often time snagging around in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.
To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case each 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 such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.
For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. Always keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it has to be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.
get more info have a few options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these modern features that come with modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within the distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. you can still operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
You can also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become a popular choice for those who want to secure their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals from the key and won't be able to start.