Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping an object of metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. You'll require 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 microchips are tiny inside the handle of your key that transmit signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car checks the serial number of the chip before allowing the car to begin. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car since they'd need to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize the code and only allow it to start if the key is the correct one. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They 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 technology is more prevalent in high-end vehicles, however it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not designed to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't a smart chip as present on modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades in a way that when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to 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 does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car may begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition move each time a key is introduced. Over time the wires could start to break. When enough wires have been broken the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance of your key.
This can also be a good method to test the 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 may have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today can do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners are not aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to assist you in finding your car in a lot or call it up by pressing the button. This is a lot more than you'd think of from a standard keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also have to be programmed at the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a huge price for a device that's often jostled in purses and pockets where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its case that is protected each time you 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 or extended warranties, will pay for a replacement fob or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also save money on new-car dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store who offers key fob cloning.
The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is dependent on the significance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep a spare fob or key on hand in case you misplace yours. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. We also offer an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than what you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can open your locks and begin your car, provided you haven't replaced them with a remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your traditional car key has been lost or broken it is necessary to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
There are a variety of options to select from based on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key can be used to open your vehicle which makes it harder for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it's within a specific distance of your car.
If you decide to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith could create a new key with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at many hardware stores. G28 Car Keys is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for people who want to enhance the security of their automobiles. Typically, laser cut keys have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips are not present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.