Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping an object of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, efficiency, and longevity of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The computer in the car checks the digital serial number of the chip before giving the car permission to begin. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The 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 stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell keys with chips. They have a huge range of keys and can help you find the right one for your car. They can even assist you to programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys because they have locks that are 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 accessible in a variety of affordable cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to stop the car from starting that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars that had computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as 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 vehicle. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of a VATS key is not a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected them to the key's blade to ensure that, when the key is turned on the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of usage, the VATS module in your car could 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 can begin to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not begin.
The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are visible on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key.
This is a great method to test a new key and check if it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not, just click the next article may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They also function as a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends much of its time in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.
To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a casing made of metal or use 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 take your key fob out every time you take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to purchase an additional fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you would buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and open the car, provided you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key has been damaged or lost, you will need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
There are several options to choose from depending on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with added security features.
Some of these modern features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only function when it's within a certain range of your car.
If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith could create a new one with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder. you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
Another alternative is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for those looking to enhance the security of their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't receive the signals coming from the key, and will not start.