Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The onboard computer scans the digital serial numbers within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle, as they would need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
laser key cutting near me with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip that is required for the device to function.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected the key blades to them so that when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to 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 start to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a long period of use, the VATS module can start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time the key is inserted. Over time the wires could begin to break. When enough wires are broken then the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. 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 also a great way to test the new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock and start the car. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high price for a product that is often jostled in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case every time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
For most drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you would pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, provided you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it must be physically placed into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.
There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it's been since you cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, while others employ laser-cut keys designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with modern-day keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within a certain distance of your car.
If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk, locks, and doors.
You could also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't receive the signals coming from the key, and will not start.