Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or have them break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car checks the serial number of the chip before it allows the car to begin. This stops thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge 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 needed to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a variety of affordable automobiles as well.
local key cutting (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it 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 used on the majority of modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a vehicle theft proof however it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every when the key is placed. Over time the wires can begin 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 issue at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using a multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal hanging out on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance of your key.
This is also a good way to test a new key to see if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start cars. They also function as used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your car in a lot or summon it by pressing a button. This is more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. It's a huge price to pay for a device that's often jostled in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the case.
Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships or extended warranties will cover the cost of an additional fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.
For most drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any event you should have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. 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 disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since you last had your keys cut there are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to getting another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. locksmith key cutting makes it only effective only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.
Another option is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to protect their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals generated by the key.