Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or even have them break into the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle you'll require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer onboard is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in finding the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cut ting equipment or special software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars, but is now available on many affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black 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 is merely carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached the key blades to them so that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time the key is introduced. As time passes the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your 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 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 out a new key and determine whether it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start the car. They are also an alarm system and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot or activate it by pressing a button. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also require to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. It's a steep cost to pay for a product that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.
One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you must take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. Always keep a spare key or fob on hand in the event that you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, provided you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you must 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 a new one cut from the blank.
You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only function when you're within a certain distance.
If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to add extra protection to their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.