Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping the metal. It is a complex process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your Car Key Cut key or even have it break in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the last 20 years, it’s likely that it has a transponder chip. These chips are tiny microchips inside the handle of your key which transmit a signal to the vehicle’s onboard computer when you are using it. The computer onboard checks the digital serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they’d need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside your car key sends an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip which then transmits instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car key cutting service will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start if it is the correct one. This will stop the use of “hot wiring” and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. These stores have a large variety of keys, and can assist you in finding the right one for your vehicle. They can also help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required for it to function.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now accessible in a variety of affordable automobiles as well.
Another type of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent the car from starting that it’s not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of the VATS key isn’t an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately 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 in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal is in line with the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet, the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine will start to run. This doesn’t make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a long period of use the VATS module could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition move each time the key is inserted. As time passes, the wires may start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car won’t start.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It’s not hard to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This method can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. They are also an alarm system and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot or activate it by pressing a button. That’s a lot more than you’d imagine from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional functionality also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional 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. It’s a steep cost to pay for a device that’s frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are typically utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle’s settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its case that is protected each time you want to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For most drivers who want to buy an additional key fob is contingent on the importance of your car key cutting near me‘s keyless entry and push button starter functions are. Always keep a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and easy service is about 50% less than the price you’d pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key cut key is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, assuming you don’t replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only downside of using the traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken you’ll need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one made.
There are several choices to pick from based on how long it’s been since you’ve cut your keys. Certain keys cut are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it only work when it’s within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you opt to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could create a new one with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at many 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 traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those looking to safeguard their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If the chips aren’t present in your car it won’t receive the signals emanating from the key and won’t be able to start.
