Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just shaping a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees security, efficiency, and longevity of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built within the past 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you press the key. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can make car keys with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to the fact that 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 most commonly found in high-end cars, but is now available on many affordable models.
Another kind of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key's blade so that when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module could begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every time a key is placed. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key. Then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance of your key.
This is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or 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 as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that is often time in purses and pockets which is where it's easily damaged, dropped 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 typically combined with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.
One method of protecting a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you must take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For most drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. Always keep a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. car key cutting and programming near me 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 must be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you got your keys cut There are many options available for you to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Some of these features that come with the modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key is used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can make the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.
You can also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become a popular choice for those who wish to protect their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.