Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car examines the serial number of the chip before allowing the car to start. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
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 an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. They have a vast variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not intended to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and connected them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the 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 car safe from theft, but it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved each time the key is placed. Over time the wires could start to break. When enough wires break then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.
This is a great method to test a new key and determine whether it works in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs of today can do more than unlock or start cars. Many of them have advanced features that most owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. mobile car key cutting can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or activate it by pressing a button. This is a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a steep price for a device that's frequently tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. keys cut near me now are often employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One way to protect the smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a case that is protected each time you use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any case it is advisable to keep a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would pay at a 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 the traditional key is that it must be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys there are a variety of options to pick from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.
You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.