Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping an object of metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, efficiency and the longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. You'll require an alternative car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny in the key's handle that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design car keys with chips. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can help you program your car's chip which is needed to operate the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is most common in luxury cars however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
Another kind of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen 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 found at a few 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 uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached the key blades to them so that, when the key is turned on, a coded signal is sent to the module. If key car cutting 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 does not make a car secure from burglary however it could delay a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires can start to break. Once enough of the wires break the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great method to test out a new key and check whether it will work in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise, the key may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. Many of them have 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, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that is often time snagging around in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.
One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case each time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new car dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.
The decision of whether to buy a new fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and start your car, assuming you don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost it is necessary to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.
There are several choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only work when you're within a certain distance.
If you opt to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
You could also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.