Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or even have them break into the lock. You'll require an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are located in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car checks the serial number digitally of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. They have a vast selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your car's chip that is required to operate the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible on many affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached 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 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 vehicle secure from theft however it can delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time the key is placed. As time passes the wires can begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key with the multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance value of your key.
This can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. They are also used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that spends a lot of its time snagging around in purses and pockets, where it is easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.
One method to safeguard the smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if must take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the case.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties can pay for an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it's lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For most 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 case it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can open your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you cut your keys there are a variety of options to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others employ laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that come with modern keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only effective only when you're within a specific distance.
If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new key with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk and doors.
auto key cutting machine is to get your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those who wish to enhance the security of their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.