Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. You'll require an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car is able to verify the serial number digitally of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to the fact that they have a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable automobiles as well.
Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars with computers built-in to 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 within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft, but it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
After a long period of use the VATS module could 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 begin to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it works in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start the car. They also function as an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to aid in locating your car in a lot or summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge cost to pay for a device that's frequently tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One method of protecting the key fob's RFID is to put it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a protective case every time you 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 cover the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case it is advisable to keep a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and start your car, assuming you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last had your keys cut There are many options to pick from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.
Some of these modern features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. car key cutting price makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. you can still operate your trunk, locks, and doors.
Another option is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car it won't receive the signals emanating from the key and won't start.