Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping an object of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, efficiency, and longevity of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured within the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. They have a vast range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can help you program your vehicle's chip that is required to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than 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 using expensive laser key cutting machines, or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.
Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not meant 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 transponder keys or cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades in a way 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 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 however, it can deter thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.
The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. 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 can also be a good method to test a new key to see if it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start cars. They often have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your vehicle in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.
In go now , some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time snagging around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.
To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal casing or even an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if must take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. Always keep a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional key is that it must be physically put into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your car key is damaged or lost it is necessary to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last cut your keys there are a variety of options to pick from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others use laser-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only function only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create the new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to enhance the security of their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.