Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you turn the key. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops theft of vehicles as thieves would have to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can assist you in choosing the right one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your car's chip that is required to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in a variety of affordable automobiles as well.
Another kind of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance.
GM employed 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 module. If it matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance value of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and see if it works in your car. Remove cost to get a key cut before you test it. In the event that it is not removed, the key may have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that is often time snagging around in pockets and purses, which is where it's easily dropped, damaged, 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 threats like relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To secure a smart card you can put it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its case that is protected each time you make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will pay for a replacement fob or reimburse you in the event that it's lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision to buy an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you lose yours. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, provided you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last had your keys cut There are many options available for you to select from when it comes to having another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't receive the signals from the key and won't be able to start.