Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than just shaping the metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to use it.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys 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 specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This doesn't make a vehicle secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and over time the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key, then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance of your key.
This method is also a great way to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start the car. They can also be used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or summon it by pressing the button. This is more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge 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 jostled around in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.
To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if must remove your key fob each time you need to take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, some of the 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 the lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For the majority of drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.
Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If spare car keys cut aren't present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.