Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them 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
If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it's likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer onboard is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. car keys cut and programmed prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create car keys with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. They have a vast selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can assist you in programming your car's chip which is needed for the device to function.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have 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, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a vehicle 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 advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet black in the center of the VATS key isn't a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of 15 to twenty minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every time the key is placed. As time passes the wires can begin to break. Once enough of the wires break, the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. 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 prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great method to test out a new key and see whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry or activate it by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a huge price for a device that's often tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard the smart key fob 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 the technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob every time you want to use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. They can unlock your locks and start the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your 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 cut your keys there are a variety of alternatives to pick from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key is used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft feature. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only effective only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new key with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to get your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular option for those who want to secure their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.