Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or even have them break into the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were that were built in the last 20 years. places to get keys cut near me are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.
The microchip in your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars 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 internal resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys. local key cutting is simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades so that, when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal is in line with the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine begins to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft however it can delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and, over time, the wires could start to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car won't begin.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a new key and check if it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start a car. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make chirping sounds to aid in locating your car in a lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is more than you could ever think of from a standard 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 will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that is often time in purses and pockets, where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.
To secure a smart card to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob every time you use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any event it is advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case you lose it. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than the price you'd pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, assuming you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost it is necessary to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.
There are several options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a certain distance of your car.
If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
Another option is to have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those looking to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.