Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed within the last 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside your car key transmits a low-level radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create car keys with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is more common in high-end vehicles, however it is now available in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. mobile car key cutting come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet in black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It's just a block or carbon that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades in a way that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent 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 starts to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and over time the wires may start to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.
You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and see if it works in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Today's key fobs are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help locate your vehicle in a parking lot and even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more functionality than you get from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional features can mean that smart key fobs may be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends a lot of its time snagging around in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard mobile car key cutting to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if you need to remove your key fob every time you use it from the case.
Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can cover the cost of an additional fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
The decision to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you'd spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If mobile key cutting is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
There are several options to select from based on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.
Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it work only when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create the new key using the standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.