Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the last 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The onboard computer scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. auto key cutting machine can also be purchased at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip which is needed to operate the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not meant 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 days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft however it can delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
After car keys cut and programmed prolonged period of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires could start 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 fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are visible on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance value of your key.
This method is also a great way to test a new key to see if it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing a button. That's a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that is often tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. key cut places near me are usually paired with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case each time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
The decision of whether to buy a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
There are several choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within the distance of your car.
If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key, and will not start.