Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you turn the key. The onboard computer checks the serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to begin. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a vast range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip, which is required to operate the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now being used in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
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 with one of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of 15 to twenty minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires can start to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key by using the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This method can also be a good method to test a new key to see whether it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They can also be a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry or summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a huge price to pay for a device that's often jostled in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its protective case every time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For the majority of drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case, you should always have a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, provided you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.
Some of these modern features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only work when you're within a certain distance.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.
Another option is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those looking to add extra protection to their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.