Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are tiny in the key's handle that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car checks the digital serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to begin. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create keys for cars with chips. They are also available at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in choosing the right 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 flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in luxury cars, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys, it's simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached them to key blades so that, when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to 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 turn on and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car theft proof however it can delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires could start to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal hanging out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.
This method is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are unaware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking space, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. It's a high cost to pay for a product that is often tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter nearby.
To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, Learn Additional of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Some newer policies, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can pay for replacing the fob, or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event, you should always have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key can be used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work when you're within a certain distance.
If you choose to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can make a new key with an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought from most 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 can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to secure their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.