Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle you'll require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car examines the serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to start. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This stops the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create car keys with chips. They are also available at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. They have a huge variety of keys, and can help you find the appropriate one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in many affordable models of cars as well.
Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however it could delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and, over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough of the wires are broken, the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with the multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional features can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that spends a lot of its time jostled around in purses and pockets, where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter nearby.
One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to keep it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob every time you take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
The decision of whether to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep a spare key or fob in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal with grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will open your locks and begin your car, provided you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your car key has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.
There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
Another alternative is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.