Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be fitted in vehicles built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips located in the handle of your key that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer on board scans the digital serial numbers within the chip and allows the Online Car key cutting to start if it's the right one. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be purchased at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.
There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models.
Another kind of online car key cutting key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those present on modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the blade of the key to ensure that, when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the 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 burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
After a long period of use the VATS module may 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 could start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's 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 is a great way to test a new key and check if it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. 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 their extra functionality. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that is often time snagging around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to keep it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its 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 coverage will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For most drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on how important your spare car key cutting near me's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob in case you lose yours. If you have to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have new keys made from the blank.
There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within a certain range of your car key cutting and programming near me.
If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new one with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular choice for those looking to secure their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your car key cutting near me prices, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.