Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. You'll require an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips in the key's handle that send signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer onboard examines the serial number of the chip prior to allowing the car to start. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. They have a vast range of keys and will help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to use it.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.
Another kind of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a car that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades in a way that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to the module. If it matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This doesn't make a car safe from theft however it can delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a long period of use the VATS module may start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and over time the wires could start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.
You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal hanging out on both sides of the key, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance of your key.
This is a great way to test a brand new key and determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key 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
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock or start the car. They are also a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to call it up by pressing a button. This is a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. key cutting open now require to be programmed by a dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends much of its time snagging around in purses and pockets which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob each time you use it from the case.
motorcycle key cutting of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships or extended warranties will pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to buy an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep a spare key or fob in case you misplace yours. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have new keys cut from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since you last cut your keys There are many options available for you to choose from when it comes time to get another copy. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks, and doors.
Another option is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for people who want to enhance the security of their vehicles. Laser cut keys are usually equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't be able to start.