Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break in the lock. You'll require an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle that send signals to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer on board detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create car keys with chips. They are also available at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
Another type of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not intended to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected them to the blade of the key, so that when the key is turned on the ignition the 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 will start to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft however it will delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module may start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each time a key is introduced. 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 begin.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance value of your key.
This is a great method to test a brand new key and see if it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise, the key may have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start cars. They can also be a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that is often time snagging around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common 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 a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To secure a smart card you can put it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its case that is protected each time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
car keys cutting and programming of whether to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key is used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create the new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys substituted 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 enhance the security of their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals from the key, and will not start.