Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the last 20 years, it's likely to have transponder chips. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key that transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer onboard examines the serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to begin. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can design car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is required to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys because they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in many affordable models of cars too.
Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the days of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an embedded resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected the key blades to them so that, when the key was turned in the ignition a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal matches the resistance value of the transistor in the VATS pellet the relay in the starter circuit is activated and the engine starts to run. This isn't a way to make a car safe from theft however it can delay the theft by at most 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition and, over time, the wires can start to break. Once enough of the wires break, the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key using the multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key. Then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance value of your key.
This method is also a great way to test the new key to determine whether it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start cars. They are also used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners may not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. car key cut is a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that spends a lot of its time in pockets and purses, where it can be easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are typically used in combination with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting false signals from a nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to store it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Some newer policies, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties, will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it's lost. You can also avoid paying dealership fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For most drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys will unlock your locks and open the car, as long as you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically put into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.
You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within the range of your car.
If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make a new key with a standard cutter machine that is available from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you can still operate your trunk, locks and doors.
Another alternative is to have your standard car key substituted with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to safeguard their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals sent by the key.