Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees safety, functionality, and longevity of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you’re able to always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to take over it.
The microchip inside your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates microchip, which then transmits a code to the car’s onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This will stop “hot wiring” or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. They have a vast selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can help you program your car’s chip, which is required for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in a variety of affordable cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) special key cutting is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent the car from starting that it’s not intended to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and attached the key blades to them so that when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This isn’t a way to make a car safe from theft however it will delay the thief by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every when the key is inserted. As time passes the wires can begin to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module gets lost and it won’t start the car.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It’s not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with the multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great way to test a new key and check whether it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Today’s key fobs can do more than unlock or start a car. They are also a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or activate it by pressing the button. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. That’s a huge sum to pay for a device that is often time snagging around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle’s settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One method of protecting the smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you have to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new car 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 crucial your car’s keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any case it is advisable to keep an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose it. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement car key cutting fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you would buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. These keys can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you don’t replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you’ll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get new keys cut from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last got your keys cut, there are several different options to select from when it comes to having another copy. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others use laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.
Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to connect with your car and make it work only when it’s within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new key using a standard key cutter machine that can be found at many hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you’ll still be able to use your doors, locks and trunk.
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 early 1990s and are a popular choice for those who want to secure their automobiles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren’t present in your vehicle, it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.
