Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you turn the key. The computer onboard checks the serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need 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 to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. key cutting services will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip, which is required to operate the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or specialized software. This technology is most commonly 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. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached them to key blades in a way that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded message 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 be activated and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof however it could delay a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every when the key is inserted. Over time the wires could begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't begin.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can determine 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 opportunity to test out a new key and check 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 may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start a car. A lot of them come with advanced features that many owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your car in a parking lot or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional features can mean that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.
key cutting services charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. key cutting car 's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends much of its time snagging around in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One method of protecting a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case each time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
The decision to buy an additional fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, provided you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it must be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key is lost or broken it is necessary to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last had your keys cut, there are several different options available for you 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 added security features.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft feature. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you're within certain distance.
If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you can still operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another option is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals coming from the key, and will not start.