Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees safety, 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. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips inside the key's handle that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They are also available at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your car's chip, which is required for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It's just a block or carbon that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades so that when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This isn't a way to make a car theft proof, but it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after mobile key cutting of usage, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and over time the wires may start to break. Once enough wires are broken then the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this issue 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 prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a new key and determine if it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start cars. A lot of them come with advanced features that most 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, make noises that help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a steep price for a device that's often tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob every time you need to take it out of the protective case.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships or extended warranties, will cover the cost of replacing the fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For the majority of drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. 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 the modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. mobile car key cutting are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only function when you're within a certain distance.
If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design a new key with the standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular option for those who wish to secure their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key, and will not start.