Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. To ensure you’re able to always drive your car, you will need a new Key cut place cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the past 20 years, it’s likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are situated in the key’s handle and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The onboard computer reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it’s the correct one. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they’d need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside your car keys transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car’s receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car’s onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This prevents “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. They have a huge variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the best one for your car. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or specially designed software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now available in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent the car from starting that it’s not meant to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is 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 present on modern keys. It is merely a block or carbon that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn’t make a vehicle secure from theft however it can delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each when the key is inserted. As time passes the wires could start to break. Once enough wires break, the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. It’s not hard to determine the resistance value of a key by using the multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter’s display to find out the resistance of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and check if it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key car cutting from the ignition prior to testing it, Key Cut Place as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Today’s key fobs can do more than unlock or start the car. They also function as used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to assist you in finding your car in a lot or summon it by pressing the button. This is a lot more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That’s a lot to pay for a device that spends much of its time in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle’s settings through the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob each time you use it from the case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how crucial your car’s keyless entry and push-button start functions are. Always keep a spare fob or key on hand in the event that you lose yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as you don’t swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional key is that it must be physically placed into the ignition to start the car. If your car key is damaged or lost you’ll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.
You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you’ve were able to cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you’re within certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another alternative is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to secure their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren’t present in your car it won’t be able to respond to the signals from the key and won’t be able to start.