Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are small microchips in the key's handle that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car checks the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. These stores have a large variety of keys, and can assist you in choosing the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip, which is required for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key cutting cost that is difficult to duplicate. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of the VATS key fob cut near me isn't an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected the key blades to them so that when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message 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 begins to run. This doesn't make a vehicle secure from theft however it can delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and, over time, the wires can start to break. When enough wires break the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key with the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a new key and see whether it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that many owners are unaware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for something that spends much of its time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard the key fob's RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the case.
Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will cover the cost of a replacement fob or reimburse you in the event that it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than the price you would spend at the dealership.
Traditional get keys cut
The traditional car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have new keys made from the blank.
There are several choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within the distance of your vehicle.
If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create a new key with the standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than an electronic double sided key cutting near me fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.