Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just shaping the metal. It is a complex process that guarantees safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips located in the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer is able to verify the serial number digitally of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can make keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle that is required to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in many affordable models of cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. The keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to verify 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 found on most modern keys. It is simply a block or carbon that is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time a key is inserted. As time passes the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking space or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that is often time jostled around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.
One method of protecting a smart key fob is to store it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case every time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and open the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional car key has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last had your keys cut There are many options to choose from when it comes time to get another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that come with modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft feature. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only function when you're within a certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks and doors.
You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. car key cutting cost were introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those looking to secure their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals emanating from the key and won't start.