Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The onboard computer examines the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.
The microchip in your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. 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. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. They have a vast range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.
Another type of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned 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 begins to run. This doesn't make a vehicle safe from theft, but it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car may start 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 begin to break. Once enough wires break, the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. car key cutting cost can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test out a new key and determine if it works 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 vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that many owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your car in a lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is more functionality than you can get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their additional functions. They also have to be programmed by a dealer.
In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a huge price for a device that is often jostled in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob each time you want to take it out of the protective case.
Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will pay for replacing the fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that is approximately 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, provided 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 placed into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.
You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you've had your keys cut. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with modern-day keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only effective only when you're within certain distance.
If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can create an entirely new key using the standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder. you are still able to operate your trunk, locks and doors.
You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who want to safeguard their vehicles. 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 car it won't receive the signals from the key and won't start.