Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees security, functionality, and longevity of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built within the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer on board reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in finding the right one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
Another type of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached 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 begins to run. automotive key cutting near me isn't a way to make a car secure from theft, but it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a long period of use, the VATS module can start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time the key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. Once enough wires break then the signal to the module gets not received and it will not 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 a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs made of metal visible on both sides of the key, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test out a new key and see 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
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start the car. They can also be a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality can mean that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a steep price to pay for a device that's often tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to safeguard smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. car key cutting near me are often employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to keep it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if must remove your key fob every time you need to take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For most drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event, you should always have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have new keys cut from the blank.
You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these modern features that come with modern-day keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to get your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and are now a popular option for people who want to add extra protection to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.