Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you turn the key. The computer onboard checks the digital serial number of the chip before allowing the car to start. This stops thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start when the key is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer keys with chips. They have a vast selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. 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. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or specially designed software. This technology is most common in luxury cars however, it is now available on many affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a 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 meant to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those used on the majority of modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned on the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted 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 car burglar-proof however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires may start to break. If enough wires are damaged, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This can also be a good method to test a new key to determine if it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today are more than simply unlock or start the car. 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 theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your car in a lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a device that spends much of its time in purses and pockets where it can be easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are often employed in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to store it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you have to remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
For most drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.
replacement car key cutting is made of a single piece of steel with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, assuming you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
There are several options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those looking to protect their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.