Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You'll require an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer onboard is able to verify the serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. They have a vast selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle which is needed to operate the device.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
Another type of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. 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 car that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles 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 regular key with a pellet of resistance embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The black VATS pellet in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades so that, when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal is in line with the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to find out the resistance of your key.
This can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to help you locate your car in a lot or call it up by pressing the button. That's a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time in purses and pockets, where it is easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you have to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the case.
Some newer policies such as auto key cutting machine club memberships or extended warranties will cover the cost of an additional fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.
The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the significance of your car key cutting service near me's keyless entry and start functions. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you would spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will open your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it has been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can make a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key cutting places substituted with a laser car key cutting service near me-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those looking to enhance the security of their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't start.