Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny inside the key’s handle that send signals to the car’s onboard computer when you use it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they’d have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car key cutting near me prices key sends a low-level radio signal to the car’s receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This stops the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of taking cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now available in a variety of affordable cars as well.
Another type of car key cutting and programming near me key that’s difficult 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 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it’s not meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of a VATS key is not a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it’s simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned on, a coded message is sent to module. If the signal is in line with 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 vehicle safe from theft however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car key cut may start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every when the key is placed. As time passes the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won’t begin.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It’s not difficult to determine the resistance of a key using a multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are 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 method is also a great way to test the new key to determine if it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to aid in locating your vehicle when you’re in a hurry, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is more than you’d expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by 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 in purses and pockets which is where it’s easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle’s settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.
To secure a smart card you can put it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, having to take 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.
Some newer policies such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can cover the cost of an additional fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to buy a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car’s keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you would spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can open your locks and start your car, provided you don’t replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you’ll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it’s within the range of your car.
If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can make a new key with a standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to enhance the security of their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren’t present in your vehicle it won’t receive the signals from the key and won’t start.