Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming the metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the last 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These chips are tiny microchips in the handle of your key which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car examines the serial number digitally of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip in your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer keys with chips. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle that is required to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to the fact that they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. 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 intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. cutting car key in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
After a long period of use, the VATS module can begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and, over time, the wires can start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.
The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is also a great way to test a new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start a car. Many of them have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry or summon it by pressing a button. This is more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that is often time in purses and pockets where it can be easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.
To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you have to remove your key fob every time you use it from the case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event, you should always have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than the price you'd pay at the 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 start your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last had your keys cut There are many options available for you to pick from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features.
Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key is used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only effective when you're within a certain distance.
If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you can still operate your locks, trunk and doors.
You can also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those who wish to enhance the security of their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't start.