Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than just shaping the metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or even have them break into the lock. You'll require a replacement car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built within the last 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car is able to verify the serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to start. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. They have a vast variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end vehicles but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.
Another type of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not meant to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys. It is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved every time the key is placed. As time passes, the wires may start to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great method to test out a new key and check whether it works in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs of today are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking lot and even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. However, key cutting price means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high cost to pay for a device that's often jostled in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter close to.
To protect a smart fob you can put it in a casing made of metal or use an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a case that is protected each time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
The decision to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case it is advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, provided you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it must be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional car key has been damaged or lost, you will need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you are still able to operate your trunk, locks and doors.
You can also replace your standard keys for your car with a laser cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular option for those who wish to secure their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals from the key and won't start.