Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than just forming the metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, efficiency and the longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or have it break off in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed within the past 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny inside the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer on board reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is 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 inside the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can make car keys with chips. Some automotive retailers such as AutoZone offer them. These stores have a wide variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can help you program your vehicle's chip, which is required to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is more common in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that is difficult to duplicate. The keys come with a resistor black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of 15 possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle it's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require a key programming machine, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys, it is simply a block of carbon appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades so that when the key was turned in the ignition a coded message is sent to the module. If the signal matches 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 isn't a way to make a car theft proof, but it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of use the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires break, the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key with the multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This is also a great way to test a new key to see if it will work in your car. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, otherwise 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 of today are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help find your car in a parking space, or even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is a lot more functionality than you can obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a steep price for a product that is often tossed around in pockets and purses in the event that it gets damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to gain access to your vehicle's settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
To protect G28 Car Keys can put it in a casing made of metal or even an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from its protective case each time you want to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverage will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.
The decision of whether to buy a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. It is always advisable to keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide a quick, convenient service that is roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of metal with grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will unlock your locks and also start the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it must be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
There are several options to select from based on how long it's been since you've cut your keys. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys have advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within the distance of your car.
If you choose to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make a new key with a standard cutter machine that can be bought from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than using a key fob or a transponder key, and you'll be able to use your locks, doors and trunk.
You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version that has an unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are a popular choice for those looking to add extra protection to their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are designed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't start.