Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or have them break in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your car you'll require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer onboard examines the digital serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to begin. 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 your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. They are also available at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having a lock that is harder to pick. They are only 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.
Another kind of key for cars that is difficult 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 designed to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is merely a block or carbon that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected the key blades to them so that, when the key is turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a vehicle secure from theft, but it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved each time a key is introduced. As time passes the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that many owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device 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 car in a lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing the button. This is more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming 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 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. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. get car key cut are often combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.
To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new car dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. You should always keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage 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 key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last cut your keys There are many alternatives to choose from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you're within certain distance.
If get car key cut decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.