Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees safety, functionality and long-term use of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You'll require 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's likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The computer in the car checks the serial number digitally of the chip before it allows the car to begin. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to use it.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
Another kind of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop them from starting a vehicle that it's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys as well as cars equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key is not a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block which is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned on, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car burglar-proof, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time a key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using the multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key. Then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance of your key.
This method is also a good way to test a new key to determine whether it will work 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 car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. Many of them have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry or summon it by pressing a button. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features can mean that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for something that spends a lot of its time jostled around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter near.
To protect a smart fob, you can store it in a casing made of metal or use an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob every time you take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, how much to get car key cut of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.
For most drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you would pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can unlock your locks and start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it must be physically placed into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.
You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to produce copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the distance of your vehicle.
If you choose to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design a new key with an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder. you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
You could also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.