Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built within the past 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are located in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The onboard computer reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside your car key sends 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 only begin if it recognizes this code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create keys for cars with chips. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. They have a huge selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
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 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 vehicle secure from theft, but it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every time a key is introduced. As time passes the wires could start to break. When enough wires break then the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS code. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance value of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and check if it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They also function as used as a security device and security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to aid in locating your car in a lot, or allow you to activate it by pressing a button. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some retailers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a huge cost to pay for a product that is often jostled in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One method of protecting the key fob's RFID is to put it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the case.
Some newer policies such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties can pay for an additional fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event you should have an extra fob or key in case you lose it. And if key cutting cost need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. We also offer a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit the Gainesville locksmith to get an alternative one cut from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you got your keys cut There are many options available for you to select from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to open your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new key with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those looking to enhance the security of their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically 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, it will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.