Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just forming a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured within the past 20 years, it's likely to have 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 computer onboard examines the serial number digitally of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside your car keys transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
key cutting car who offer these services can create keys for cars with chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars too.
Another kind of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as used on the majority of modern keys. It's just carbon or a block which is sized to have an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached the key blades to them so that when the key is turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message 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 will start to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car could begin 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. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing 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 see if it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that is often time in purses and pockets, where it can be easily dropped, damaged or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.
To secure a smart card you can put it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you need to take your key fob out 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 coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For the majority of drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on the importance of 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 choice of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of steel that has grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys can open your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.
There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key is used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are embedded into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only effective when you're within a certain distance.
If you decide to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create the new key using a standard cutter machine that is available from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder. you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys replaced with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who want to secure their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals from the key and won't start.