Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and long-term use of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. key cutting services are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal to your vehicle's onboard computers when you turn the key. The computer onboard checks the serial number digitally of the chip before giving the car permission to start. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin only if it recognizes the code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. These stores have a wide range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate 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 are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
Another kind of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not meant to. They are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system 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 used to start the car. key cutting services that is in the center of a VATS key is not a chip like those used in modern smart keys, it's simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades so that, when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to 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 will start to run. This doesn't make a car secure from theft however it can delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount 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 with time, the wires could start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.
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 value of a key with the multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is also a great way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start the car. They also function as a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your car in a parking space, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality can mean that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge price to pay for a device that's often jostled in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you must take your key fob out every time you need to take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, 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 new-car dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd buy from the dealership.
navigate here is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, assuming you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your key from the past is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since you last got your keys cut there are a variety of alternatives to select from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to start your car which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within the distance of your car.
If you opt to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using the standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you can still operate your locks, trunk and doors.
Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those who wish to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals coming from the key, and will not start.