Car Key Cutting Explained
car key cutting car (this) is much more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees security, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. To ensure you’re able to always drive your car, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key which transmit signals to the car’s onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer on board detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it’s the correct one. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This stops the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of taking cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle’s chip that is required to operate the device.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys 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 with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in many affordable models of cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that’s difficult to duplicate. These keys contain a resistor that’s black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it’s not intended to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is simply a block or carbon that is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn’t make a car secure from burglary however it could delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved each time the key is placed. As time passes the wires could begin 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 fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. It’s not difficult to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are visible on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter’s display to find out the resistance of your key.
This method can also be a good method to test a new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking space or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you’d imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That’s a lot to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time in pockets and purses, where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle’s settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.
One method to safeguard the key fob’s RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if must remove your key fob every time you need to take it out of the protective case.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can pay for an additional fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on the importance of your car’s keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep a spare key or fob on hand in the event that you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys will open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven’t replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you got your keys cut there are a variety of alternatives to pick from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features.
Some of these advanced features that come with modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only effective only when you’re within a specific distance.
If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using the standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
Another option is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to protect their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren’t installed in your vehicle, it won’t respond to the signals coming from the key cutting services and won’t be able to start.