Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just shaping a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips located in the key's handle which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer onboard is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. They have a huge variety of keys, and can help you find the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is most common in luxury cars but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.
Another kind of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached the key blades to them so that when the key is turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will start to run. This isn't a way to make a car theft proof however it can delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after key cutting services near me of use the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each when the key is introduced. As time passes the wires could begin to break. Once enough of the 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 solve this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with the multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.
This is a great way to test a brand new key and determine if it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs of today are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. They can also be an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time in pockets and purses, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as 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 another transmitter nearby.
One way to protect a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to take key cutting price from its case that is protected each time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to purchase an additional fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event you should have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you'd buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal with grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only downside of using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made from the blank.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your car, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only work when you're within a certain distance.
If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.