Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The onboard computer is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip in your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars as well.
Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop them from starting a vehicle that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected the key's blade so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal is in line with 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 theft proof however it can delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are visible 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 car. Remove the ignition key 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 do more than simply unlock or start the car. They also function as a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners might not 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 allow you to summon it by pressing the button. This is more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.
car key cutting near me of protecting the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob every time you use it from the case.
Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships or extended warranties can cover the cost of an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it's lost. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.
The decision to purchase a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, provided you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.
You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with the modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are embedded into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only effective only when you're within a specific distance.
If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can create a new key with a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't receive the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.