Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured within the past 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips inside the handle of your key which transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer on board scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the right one. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.
The microchip in your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can help you program your vehicle's chip that is required to use the device.
You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key was turned on, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on 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.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. locksmith key cutting is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires may start to break. When enough wires break, the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key, and then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance value of your key.
This method is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise local key cutting may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. They are also 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 remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking space or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends much of its time jostled around in pockets and purses, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if have to take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
For most drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any case, you should always have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, provided you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key is damaged or lost it is necessary to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you got your keys cut there are a variety of options available for you to choose from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these advanced features that come with the modern-day keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your car, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different anti-theft device. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only effective only when you're within certain distance.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make a new key with the standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.
You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and are a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.