Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely to be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. They can also be purchased at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will help you get the right one for your car. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip, which is required for the device to function.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much more difficult to pick, and they can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now being used in many affordable models of automobiles as well.
Another kind of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to stop them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet black located in the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those found on 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 is turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car could start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every when the key is placed. As time passes the wires can start to break. Once enough wires break the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your own VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by 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 will work in your cheap car key cutting near me. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your cheap car key cutting.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle in a parking lot or activate it by pressing the button. That's a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional features also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a high price to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by 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 a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob each time you take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost to get a key cut of getting a new car key cut replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For most drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event, you should always have an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece 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, provided you don't replace them with a remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically put into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your key from the past is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have new keys cut from the blank.
You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you've cut your keys. Certain keys are cut with 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 ensures that only the correct key can be used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only effective only when you're within a specific distance.
If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can create a new key with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.
You can also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and they're a popular choice for those who wish to enhance the security of their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.