Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the past 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The onboard computer checks the serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to begin. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle, as they would need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. They are also available at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a large selection of keys, and can help you find the best one for your car. They can assist you in programming your car's chip, which is required to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles, but is now available on many affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
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Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If it 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 car secure from theft, but 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 could begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires may start to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great method to test a brand new key and check whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start cars. Many of them have advanced features that many owners aren't aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that spends much of its time snagging around in pockets and purses, where it is easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To protect a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a protective case each time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision to purchase a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event, you should always have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. 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 approximately 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last had your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are embedded into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work when you're within a certain distance.
If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to protect their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals from the key and won't be able to start.