Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle you'll require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured within the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle that transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer on board reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by locksmiths that offer these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. These stores have a large variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your car. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle which is needed to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys due to having a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles but is now accessible 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. The keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended 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 equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each when the key is placed. As time passes the wires can start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This can also be a good method 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, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start cars. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are unaware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that spends a lot of its time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it can be easily dropped, damaged or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.
One method of protecting the 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. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you must remove your key fob every time you want to use it from the case.
Some newer policies such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision of whether to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event you should have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you'd pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with an electronic key or a 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 is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of options available for you to pick from when it comes to having another copy made. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.
Some of these modern features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are embedded into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only effective only when you're within a specific distance.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design an entirely new key using the standard cutter machine that is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to secure their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't receive the signals from the key and won't start.