Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break through the lock. You'll require an alternative car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The onboard computer is able to verify the serial number digitally of the chip prior to allowing the car to begin. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip in your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to 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.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars with chips. They are also available at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys because 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 most common in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.
Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an embedded resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those found on most modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted 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 starts to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft however it can delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
After a long period of use the VATS module may start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved each time the key is introduced. Over time the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You 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 way to test out a new key and check if it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the car. They can also be a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing the button. This is more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. key cutting cost are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that is often time in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are usually employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove 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.
Certain policies that are more recent, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can cover the cost of a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it's lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For most drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any case, you should always have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you would pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to 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 an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
There are several options to select from based on how long it's been since you were able to cut your keys. go!! utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption as well as 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 that are incorporated into the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a specific distance of your car.
If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new one with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
You can also replace your standard keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. key cutting services near me were introduced was in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those looking to add extra protection to their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals coming from the key and won't be able to start.