Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car you'll need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you use it. The computer in the car is able to verify the digital serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car keys transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at a locksmith that offers these services. They are also available at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores offer a wide variety of keys, and can help you find the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to use it.
There are also laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. cutting car key g28carkeys.co.uk are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.
Another kind of car key that's hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not designed 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 automobiles 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 that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached 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 matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine begins to run. This doesn't make a vehicle secure from theft, but it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
After a lot of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each time the key is introduced. As time passes, the wires may start to break. Once enough of the wires break, the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.
This method is also a great way to test a new key to determine whether it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking lot, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. That's a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends much of its time in purses and pockets where it can be easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter near.
One way to protect the smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if must take your key fob out every time you want to use it from the protective case.
Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships or extended warranties, will pay for replacing the fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
The decision to buy an additional fob is based on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case, you should always have a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal with grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and start the car, assuming you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken you'll need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.
You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you had your keys cut. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are incorporated into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only function only when you're within a specific distance.
If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new key with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder. you are still able to operate your trunk, locks, and doors.
You can also replace your standard car keys with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are a popular option for those looking to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.