Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These chips are tiny microchips located in the key's handle which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer onboard examines the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip, which is required to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is most common in high-end cars, but is now available on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys as well as 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 regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades so that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to module. If the signal is in line with 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 car safe from theft however it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a long period of use, the VATS module can begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires could begin to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal hanging out on both sides of the key. Then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance of your key.
key cut place near me can also be a good method to test the new key to determine if it will work in your car. Just 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 function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to aid in locating your car in a lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. This is a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that is often time in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. nearest key cutting will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its case that is protected each time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, 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 avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case it is advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you need to 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 an alternative one made 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 options to pick from when it comes time to get another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within the distance of your vehicle.
If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals emanating from the key and won't start.