Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be added to cars that were built within the past 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer onboard checks the digital serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This prevents car theft as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create car keys with chips. They can also be bought at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores offer a wide variety of keys, and can help you find the best one for your car. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles however, it is now available on a variety of affordable models.
Another kind of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of 15 possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it'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 transponder keys or cars that had computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. car keys cut and programmed doesn't make a car safe from burglary however it could 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 the key is introduced. Over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough of the wires break the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
car keys cut and programmed can resolve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. 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 sticking out on both sides of the key, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance of your key.
This method is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key may have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the car. They are also a security device and a theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you find your vehicle in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. That's a lot more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functionality. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that is often time jostled around in pockets and purses, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter close to.
One method to safeguard 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. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you want to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Some of the newer policies like auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will cover the cost of replacing the fob or reimburse you in the event that it is lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For the majority of drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit most cars and trucks. Plus, Full Review offer an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and start your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by a remote key or smart key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
There are several choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you were able to cut your keys. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these features that are included in modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only function only when you're within certain distance.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can make a new one using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or transponder, and you can still operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another alternative is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't be able to start.