Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality 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 need a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer in the car is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This stops thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. car keys cutting near me will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can make car keys with chips. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will help you get the right one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys because they have locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in a wide range of low-cost cars too.
Another type of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop 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.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a pellet of resistance 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 the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades so 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 vehicle theft proof however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time the key is introduced. Over time the wires could begin to break. Once enough of the wires are broken then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This method is also a great way to test a new key to see if it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the car. They also function as a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to aid in locating your car in a lot or summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that spends much of its time in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a case that is protected each time you want to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.
For most drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any event you should have an extra fob or key in case in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and open the car, provided you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key is damaged or lost it is necessary to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.
Some of these features that come with modern keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.
You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to protect their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.