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Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that guarantees security, function and durability of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The onboard computer checks the serial number digitally of the chip prior to giving the car permission to start. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside your car key transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create keys for cars with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip which is needed for the device to function.
You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
Another kind of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys come with a resistor 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 intended to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles 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 a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades so that when the key was turned on, a coded signal is sent to 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 begins to run. This doesn't make a car secure from theft, but it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module may start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and, over time, the wires can start to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great method to test a new key and check whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start cars. They often have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to activate it by pressing the button. This is more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high cost to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To secure a smart card you can put it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you have to remove your key fob each time you need 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 save money on new car dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep a spare key or fob in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, as long as you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have new keys cut from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since you last cut your keys, there are several different options to pick from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only function only when you're within certain distance.
If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at the majority of hardware stores. key cut place is less expensive than an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys replaced 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 people who want to enhance the security of their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.
