Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, efficiency and the longevity 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 car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. These stores offer a wide variety of keys, and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the blade of the key to ensure that, when the key is turned on in the ignition the 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 does not make a car safe from burglary however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires can start to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module is lost and it won't 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 is not that difficult. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.
This is a great method to test out a new key and check whether it will work in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs of today are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They are also an alarm system and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle when you're in a hurry or activate it by pressing a button. This is more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality can mean that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In car key cutting price , some dealers charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high cost to pay for a product that is often tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you must take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the case.
Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships and extended warranties can pay for replacing the fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
The decision of whether to purchase an additional fob is based 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 yours. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.
There are several options to select from based on how long it has been since you cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can create a new key with a standard cutter machine that is available from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.
You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular option for those who wish to secure their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.