Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming an object of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys 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
If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The computer on board scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. They are also available at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. These stores have a large range of keys and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.
Laser cut cost to get a key cut are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now available in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet black in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached the key's blade, so that when the key is turned in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a long period of use, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time the key is introduced. As time passes the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires are broken then the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs made of metal hanging 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 opportunity to test out a new key and see if it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking lot and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities can mean that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that's often jostled in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or even 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 want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships or extended warranties can pay for an additional fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.
The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. You should always keep a spare key or fob in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, provided you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your car key has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
Depending on how long has passed since you last cut your keys there are a variety of options available for you to select from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.
Some of these features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can create the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder. you will still be able to use your locks, trunk and doors.
You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who want to protect their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.