Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips located in the key's handle which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer onboard examines the digital serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside your car keys transmits an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to module. If the signal is in line with the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved each time a key is introduced. Over time the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.
You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using a multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance value of your key.
This can also be a good method to test a new key to see whether it works in your vehicle. Be mobile car key cutting to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a steep price to pay for a device that is often tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.
To secure a smart card you can put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you have to remove your key fob each time you need to use it from the case.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. Always keep a spare key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.
There are several choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these features that come with modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can create a new key with a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.
You can also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to protect their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.