Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures safety, functionality and long-term use of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even have them break into the lock. You will need a new car key in order to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The computer onboard checks the serial number digitally of the chip before giving the car permission to begin. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in your car key sends an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This 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 will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars that contain chips. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in choosing the appropriate one for your car. They can assist you in programming your car's chip that is required for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or with specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles, but is now available in a wide range of low-cost models.
Another type of car key that's difficult to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible 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 through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the days of transponder keys and automobiles with built-in 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 internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades so that, when the key was turned on, a coded message is sent to module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will begin to run. This does not make a car burglar-proof however it could delay thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
After a lot of usage, the VATS module can begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires are broken the signal to the module gets lost and it won't start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key by using the multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal hanging out on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.
This is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could have an incorrect VATS number and will not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door remotely, make chirping noises to assist you in finding your vehicle when you're in a hurry or activate it by pressing a button. This is more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for a device that spends a lot of its time snagging around in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. They are usually paired with a remote start hack that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter near.
One method of protecting a smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if need to take your key fob out every time you use it from the case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For most drivers who want to buy an extra key fob will depend on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. In any event you should have an extra key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. source web page offers a large selection of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you would spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and start the car, as long as you haven't changed them out for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one created.
Depending on how long has passed since you last had your keys cut, there are several different options available for you to choose from when it comes time to get another copy. Certain keys employ mechanical cutting machines to create copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are made with security features in mind.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and connect to your vehicle. This means that they only work only when you're within a specific distance.
If you choose to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can create an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased 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 traditional car key substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys first came out in the 1990s, and are a popular choice for people who want to provide extra security to their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't start.