Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle you'll require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built within the past 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are 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 examines the serial number digitally of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip inside your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. They have a huge range of keys and can assist you in choosing the right one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.
You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional 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. cost to get a key cut is most common in luxury cars however, it is now available on many affordable models.
motorcycle key cutting of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as present on modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle theft proof however it can delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires may start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a new key and check if it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing the button. This is more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends much of its time snagging around in purses and pockets where it is easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.
One way to protect the smart key fob is to store it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a protective case every time you need to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships or extended warranties can cover the cost of replacing the fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, as long as you don't swap them out to a smart or remote 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 damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have a new one cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last got your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to select from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Some of these features that come with modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within the range of your car.
If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
Another option is to have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to secure their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.