Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car or even have them break into the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be installed in cars built within the past 20 years. These microchips are tiny inside the handle of your key which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The onboard computer checks the digital serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This helps prevent theft of cars as thieves would have to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside your car key transmits 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 it is the correct one. This stops the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. They have a vast range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip that is required for the device to function.
You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end vehicles but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.
Another type of key for cars that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. They contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
cheap key cutting www.g28carkeys.co.uk to VATS
Before transponder keys or cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The black VATS Pellet in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip like those found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a lot of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and, over time, the wires could start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.
You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance value of your key.
This is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. Otherwise the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that many owners are unaware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a deterrent to theft. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to help you locate your car in a lot, or allow you to call it up by pressing a button. That's a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. However, all that additional capabilities also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. It's a high cost to pay for a device that's often jostled in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have devised methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter nearby.
To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob every time you take it out of the protective case.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob cloned at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For most drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any case you should have a spare fob or key in case in case you lose it. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you haven't replaced them by a remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been specifically designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another anti-theft device. They are embedded into the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only effective only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can create an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
You can also replace your standard keys to your car with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and have become a popular choice for those who want to protect their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are designed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.