Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break 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 to be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips located in the key's handle that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to make it work.
You can also purchase laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles but is now accessible on many affordable models.
Another type of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to stop 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 is only located at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to 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 VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys, it's simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected the key blades to them so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires can start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. You'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. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are visible on both sides of the key, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance value of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test out a new key and check if it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed, the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to help you locate your car in a lot or activate it by pressing a button. This is a lot more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high price for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, 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 by another transmitter close to.
To secure a smart card to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a case that is protected each time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships or extended warranties will pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.
For most drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that is approximately 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can open your locks and start your car, assuming you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it has been since you cut your keys. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. cheapest key cutting near me are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only effective only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk, locks, and doors.
You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s, and are 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 with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.