Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer onboard is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to start. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside your car key transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. 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 it is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a large selection of keys, and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip that is required for the device to function.
You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.
Another type of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades in a way that when the key is turned on, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof however it can delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved each time a key is placed. As time passes, the wires may start to break. Once enough of the wires break, the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. motorcycle key cutting can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This method is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and make 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 features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to.
To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a protective case every time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.
The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it must be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken, you will need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last got your keys cut There are many options available for you to select from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.
Some of these features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using a standard cutter machine that is available from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk, locks and doors.
You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.