Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than simply shaping an object of metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. You'll require an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These microchips are located in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The computer on board detects the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. They can also be purchased at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. These stores have a large selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your car. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to make it work.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in a variety of affordable cars too.
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 in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys as well as cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something 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 VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those found on most modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades so that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to module. If the signal matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine begins to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module could start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time a key is inserted. Over time, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not begin.
The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great way to test a brand new key and see if it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed, the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today can do more than unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that many owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your vehicle in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a high cost to pay for a product that is often tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter near.
To secure a smart card you can put it in a casing made of metal or use an RFID blocking case. key cutting open now will prevent the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if have to remove your key fob every time you need to take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For most drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any case you should have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. And if you need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you'd pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can open your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with an electronic key or a 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 an alternative one made from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you cut your keys There are many alternatives to pick from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key is used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design a new key with the standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to secure their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key and won't be able to start.