Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and durability 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 car you’ll need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the last 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are tiny in the key’s handle that transmit signals to the car’s onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer examines the serial number digitally of the chip before it allows the car to begin. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle because they’d have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car keys transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This will stop the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can design car keys with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle that is required for the device to function.
laser car key cutting near me cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
Another type of car key that’s hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys contain a resistor that’s black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of 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 device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has 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 like those found on most modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the key’s blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted 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 begin to run. This doesn’t make a vehicle safe from theft however it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved each time the key is inserted. Over time the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module is lost and the module won’t be able to start the car.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS key. It’s not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is getting a key cut near me great way to test a new key and check if it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start cars. Many of them have advanced features that most owners aren’t aware of. They can be used as a security gadget 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 space or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It’s a high price for a device that’s often tossed around in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One method of protecting 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. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case every time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties will pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you in the event that it’s lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car’s keyless entry and start functions. Always keep an extra key or fob in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than what you’d buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can open your locks and begin your car, provided you don’t replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key is lost or broken you’ll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.
There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it’s been since you’ve had your keys cut. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others use laser-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it only work when it’s within a certain distance of your car.
If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith key cutting could create a new key using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you’ll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
You can also replace your standard keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those looking to safeguard their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.