Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending 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. To ensure you're able to always drive your car, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you use the key. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This prevents thieves from taking over your vehicle since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made by a locksmith that offers these services. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone sell them. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can also help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature the lock cylinder, which is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a variety of affordable cars too.
Another type of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips that control the ignition of the car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet located in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and connected the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors 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 secure from theft however it can delay the thief by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module could begin to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved each when the key is placed. As time passes the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key. Then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance of your key.
This method can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. Otherwise the key could have an incorrect VATS and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. A lot of them come with advanced features that many owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that spends much of its time in pockets and purses, where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a protective case each time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, 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 an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.
The decision to purchase a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. Always keep an extra key or fob in case you lose yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old 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 also start the car, provided you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one 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 added security features.
Some of these advanced features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can create an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine that is available at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another option is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and they're a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their automobiles. Typically, laser cut car keys cutting come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals generated by the key.