Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your vehicle you'll need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the past 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are in the handle of the key and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer on board reads the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle, as they would 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. The radio signal activates microchip, which 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 prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design car keys with chips. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip which is needed for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They have the lock cylinder, which is more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or specially designed software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not designed to. They are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black that is located in the middle of the VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those present on modern keys. It is simply carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.
GM employed 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 turn on and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition move each when the key is placed. Over time the wires can begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test out a new key and check if it works in your vehicle. 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 may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start a car. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. key cutting price can be used as a security device or a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot or summon it by pressing the button. This is more functionality than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs could be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a high price to pay for a device that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter nearby.
One method of protecting the key fob's RFID is to keep it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you have to take your key fob out every time you want to take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith who offers key fob cloning.
The decision of whether to buy a new fob is largely dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. In any event you should have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that is roughly 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys will open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it has to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your car key has been damaged or lost, you will need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it's been since you've had your keys cut. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others employ laser-cut keys specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys have advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific distance of your car.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can design the new key using a standard cutter machine that can be bought at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to secure their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't installed in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.