Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These microchips are tiny located in the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car examines the serial number digitally of the chip prior to it allows the car to begin. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip in your car key transmits an unintentional radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the right one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in choosing the right one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle, which is required for the device to function.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars as well.
Another type of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not meant to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those present on modern keys. It is simply a block or carbon that is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent 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 starts to run. This doesn't make a car secure from theft however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Each time the key cutting price is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and over time the wires may start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key with the multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal visible on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key.
This is a great way to test a brand new key and determine whether it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart mobile key cutting service Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They can also be used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking space, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a steep price for a device that is often tossed around in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.
To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its case that is protected each time you 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 pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. 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.
The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event you should have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it must be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.
There are several options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you choose to use a traditional key cut, your locksmith can design an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.
You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to enhance the security of their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't be able to start.