Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not unusual 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 need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed within the last 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by locksmiths that offer these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys due to having a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the 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 begin to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires can start to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance of your key.
This is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking space, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional features also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key 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 there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often utilized 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 to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a case that is protected each time you want to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.
The decision to purchase a new fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one cut from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you got your keys cut there are a variety of options to pick from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your car, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you decide to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design a new key with a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.
car keys cut and programmed is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.