Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny in the key's handle that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car examines the serial number digitally of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars, but is now available on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades so that, when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message 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 will start to run. This doesn't make a vehicle theft proof however it will delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and, over time, the wires could start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not begin.
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 of a key with a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great method to test out a new key and determine whether it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that many owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. 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. auto key cutting 's a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that spends much of its time in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are usually 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 smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if must remove your key fob every time you take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who 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 start functions are. Always keep a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them by the remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your car key has been lost or broken you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last got your keys cut, there are several different options available for you to choose from when it comes to having another copy made. car key cutting price employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key is used to start your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only function when you're within a certain distance.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to protect their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't receive the signals coming from the key, and will not start.