Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You'll need a new car key cutting service near me key in order to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These chips are tiny microchips inside the handle of your key that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip that then transmits the code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start only if it is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer them. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to use it.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. They have an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a 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 intended to. These keys are costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available at certain 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 uses a key with an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of the VATS key isn't a chip like those present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires may start to break. Once enough wires break then the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. 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 prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a brand new automotive key cutting and see whether it will work in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock and start the car. They are also an alarm system and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot or call it up by pressing a button. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time in purses and pockets where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter near.
To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you want to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key cutting open now-fob-cloning services.
The decision to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you misplace yours. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by a remote key or smart vw key cut by vin near me (Timeoftheworld`s statement on its official blog). The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you got your keys cut There are many options available for you to choose from when it comes to getting keys cut another copy made. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key is used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to get your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't receive the signals emanating from the key, and will not start.