Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you turn the key. The computer on board scans the digital serial numbers within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car keys transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create car keys with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can assist you in programming your car's chip that is required for the device to function.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop them from starting a car that it's not meant to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached the key blades to them so that when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message 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 activate and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each when the key is placed. As time passes the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires are broken then the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great method to test a brand new key and determine if it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. 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 remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your car in a parking space, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. linked here is more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge price to pay for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.
To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you must take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the case.
Some newer policies, such as auto club memberships or extended warranties can cover the cost of replacing the fob or reimburse you in the event that it's lost. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. You should always keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you misplace yours. And if you need to buy a new 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 is approximately 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. They can open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them by an electronic key or a 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 is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you got your keys cut There are many options available for you to select from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these modern features that come with the modern 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 another security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you're within certain distance.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can create the new key using a standard cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
You can also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to secure their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.