Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than just forming the metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer on board reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. 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 inside the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip, which is required to operate the device.
There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, 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 a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to verify that the correct 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 a block or carbon that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the blade of the key to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however it could delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and over time the wires can begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car won't begin.
The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key using the multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and see whether it will work in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.
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 not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking space and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. That's a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also have to be programmed by a dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it is easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.
One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case each time you want to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
For most drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, we offer a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and open the car, provided you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. key cutting price of using the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key has been lost or broken it is necessary to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.
Depending on how long has passed since you last had your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to select from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.
Some of these features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could make a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder. you will still be able to use your locks, trunk and doors.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for people who want to enhance the security of their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.