Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated procedure that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or even have them break into the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These chips are small microchips located in the handle of your key that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car checks the digital serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to begin. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by locksmiths that offer these services. They are also available at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. They have a vast selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip, which is required to use the device.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades so that, when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If it matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires within the ignition, and, over time, the wires can begin to break. Once enough of the wires are broken then the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great way to test a brand new key and see whether it works in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your vehicle in a parking lot, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a high cost to pay for a product that is often tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To secure a smart card, you can store it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a protective case every time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Some newer policies, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it is lost. You can also save money on new car dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any case you should have a spare fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them by a remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If car key cuts near me has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with modern-day keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a certain distance of your car.
If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for people who want to add extra protection to their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.