Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, functionality, and longevity of the keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it's likely that it has transponder chips. These chips are small microchips inside the handle of your key which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer on board detects the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it is the right one. This prevents thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip inside the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip which then transmits code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start when the key is the right one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers, such as AutoZone. These stores have a wide selection of keys and can assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars too.
Another type of car key that is difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to prevent it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are costly and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars with built-in computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a key with an internal resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those used in modern smart keys, it is simply a piece of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and connected them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal is in line with 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 burglar-proof however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module may begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires could begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car won't start.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. All you need to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key, and then examine the display of your ohm meter to determine the resistance value of your key.
This is also a great way to test a new key to determine if it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key may have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start the car. They are also used as a security device and burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. car key cutting cost can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking space or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features also means that smart key fobs can be pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. They are typically employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard the smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or an RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a protective case every time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Certain policies that are more recent, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties can cover the cost of an additional fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on dealer fees and have your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is largely dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. You should always keep a spare fob or key in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit most cars and trucks. We also offer an efficient, quick service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars 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 an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key has been damaged or lost, you will need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one made.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you had your keys cut There are many alternatives to select from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Some of these modern features that come with the modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that 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 a certain distance of your car.
If you choose to use a traditional key, your locksmith can create an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your trunk locks, trunk locks and doors.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to protect their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.