Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that guarantees security, function and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The computer in the car examines the digital serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal 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 only begin when it recognizes the code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by locksmiths that offer these services. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores offer a wide selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars, but is now available on many affordable models.
Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop them from starting a vehicle that it's not designed to. They are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something 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 being used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as used in 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 VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is transmitted to the module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each when the key is introduced. As time passes the wires could start to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS automobile key cutting near me. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and see if it works in your mobile car key cutting near me. Just be sure to remove the key cutting services from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs of today are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. They are also a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you find your vehicle in a parking lot or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a product 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 there are automakers who have developed ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a casing made of metal or use an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob each time you want to take it out of the protective case.
Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships and extended warranties, will cover the cost of a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For most drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. Always keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you lose yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. They can unlock your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken, you will need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last cut your keys there are a variety of options available for you to pick from when it comes to getting another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting car keys near me machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within a specific distance.
If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk, locks, and doors.
Another option is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and are now a popular option for those looking to enhance the security of their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.