Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming the metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer on board scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car keys transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They are also available at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars but is now accessible on many affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those used in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a long period of use, the VATS module can begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires break, the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.
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 of a key by using a multimeter. 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 brand new key and see if it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start cars. They often have advanced features that most owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or a theft deterrent. Internet Page can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a traditional 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 need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that spends much of its time snagging around in pockets and purses, which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a casing made of metal or use 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 make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event you should have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than the price you'd pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only downside of using a traditional 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 have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you had your keys cut, there are several different options to choose from when it comes to having another copy made. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft device. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can make a new key with the standard cutter machine, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you can still operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another option is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those who wish to add extra protection to their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.