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Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed within the last 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These chips are tiny microchips in the handle of your key that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer on board reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars with chips. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip, which is required for the device to function.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles however, it is now available on many affordable models.
Another kind of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). auto key cutting utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the blade of the key, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the 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 doesn't make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires may start to break. Once enough of the wires are broken, the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key using the multimeter. 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 out a new key and check if it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition 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 vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. That's a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities also means that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a product that spends much of its time in purses and pockets, where it is easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One method of protecting the smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove automotive key cutting from a case that is protected each time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will pay for a replacement fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on new car dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
For most drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event, you should always have a spare fob or key in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you would buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last had your keys cut there are a variety of options available for you to pick from when it comes to having another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with added security features.
Some of these features that come with modern keys include encryption as well as other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your car, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within the distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make the new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder. you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
You can also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for people who want to enhance the security of their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.