Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
mobile key cutting are likely be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The onboard computer examines the serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design car keys with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. They have a huge selection of keys, and can help you find the appropriate one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.
There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but is now available on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to the 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 begin to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module may start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires could start to break. Once enough of the wires break then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. 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 way to test a new key and determine if it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs of today are more than just a way to unlock or start a car. They also function as a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking space, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities can mean that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a steep price for a device that is often jostled in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To secure a smart card to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a case that is protected each time you need to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships and extended warranties will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets 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 of whether to purchase an additional fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. We also offer an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is a single piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, provided you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since you last cut your keys there are a variety of options available for you to pick from when it comes to having another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.
Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can make a new key with a standard cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk, locks, and doors.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to protect their automobiles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals transmitted by the key.