Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated procedure that ensures security, efficiency, and longevity of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The computer in the car examines the serial number digitally of the chip prior to it allows the car to begin. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin if it recognizes this code. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can make car keys with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle that is required for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles however, it is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. They come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those present in modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon appropriately sized to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades so that, when the key is turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message 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 car safe from theft however it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module may start to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved each time a key is inserted. As time passes, the wires may begin to break. Once enough wires break then the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great method to test a brand new key and check 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 may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They can also be used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that owners might not even be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking space or let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added features also means that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends much of its time jostled around in pockets and purses, where it can be easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings through an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
car key cutting price to protect a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case every time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. Always keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you'd spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys will open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been damaged or lost you'll need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
Depending on how much time has passed since the last time you cut your keys There are many options available for you to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.
Some of these features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you choose to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for people who want to enhance the security of their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.