Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than just shaping the metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer on board detects the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell keys with chips. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle which is needed for the device to function.
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 using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.
Another kind of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades so that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however it could delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a long period of use the VATS module could begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved each time the key is introduced. As time passes the wires can start to break. When enough wires break the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test out a new key and check whether it will work in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends much of its time in pockets and purses, where it can be easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to.
One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to keep it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob each time you use it from the case.
Some newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
The decision to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, provided you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If getting a key cut for a car has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you cut your keys, there are several different alternatives to select from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.
Some of these features that are included in modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design the new key using the standard cutter machine that is available from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder, and you can still operate your trunk, locks and doors.
Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those who want to protect their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.