Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just shaping a piece of metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
key cutting price is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured within the past 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These chips are small microchips inside the key's handle that send an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer on board reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational 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 correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create keys for cars that contain chips. They are also available at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. They have a vast selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is necessary to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having locks that are more difficult to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars, but is now available on many affordable models.
Another type 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 fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not intended to. They are expensive and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at 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 makes use of a regular key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys. It is simply a piece of carbon appropriately sized to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected the key blades to them so that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to the module. If it 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 doesn't make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage, the VATS module can start to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires within the ignition, and over time the wires can start to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module is lost and it won't start the car.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it is not difficult at all. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key. Then look at the display of the ohmmeter to determine the resistance value of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and determine whether it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start a car. They also function as used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and make chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry or call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you could ever imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functionality. They also have to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for something that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To safeguard a smart fob you can put it in a metal casing or use an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you need to remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealer fees by having your fob copied by a locksmith or hardware retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. And if you need to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal that has grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. These keys will open your locks and start your car, provided you haven't replaced them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it has to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your car key has been damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
You have a few options to select from based on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to communicate with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within the distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith can make a new one using a standard key cutter machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll still be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
Another alternative is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and have become a popular choice for those who want to protect 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 installed in your car it won't receive the signals from the key, and will not start.