Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and send a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you turn the key. The computer in the car reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. auto key cutting machine , like AutoZone sell them. They have a vast selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle which is needed to use the device.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars as well.
Another kind of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys and cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key is not an electronic chip that is like those used on the majority of modern keys. It is merely a block or carbon that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to module. If the signal is in line with 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 doesn't make a car secure from theft however it will delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module may start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved each time the key is placed. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.
The good news is that you can fix this issue 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 is not that difficult. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a new key and determine if it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock and start the car. They are also an alarm system and a theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high cost to pay for a device that is often jostled in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To secure a smart card you can put it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob every time you need to take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For most drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any case you should have an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only drawback of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the car. If your car key has been lost or broken it is necessary to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
Depending on how long has passed since you last had your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to select from when it comes to getting another copy made. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these advanced features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft device. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.
Another option is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to add extra protection to their vehicles. The majority of 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 be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.