Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than simply shaping an object of metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle you'll need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the past 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips inside the handle of your key that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not meant 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 cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those present on modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. get car key cut attached the key blades to them so that, when the key is turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If it matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module may start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time the key is introduced. Over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and see if it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs of today are more than just a way to unlock or start cars. They also function as used as a security device and security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features can mean that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that is often time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.
To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its case that is protected each time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, places to get keys cut near me -insurance policies and 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 the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. You should always keep a spare key or fob in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal with grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your car key has been lost or broken, you will need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you had your keys cut, there are several different options to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.
Some of these modern features that come with the modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new key using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder. you can still operate your locks, trunk and doors.
You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.