Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, efficiency and the longevity of 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 vehicle, you will require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers inside the chip and allows the car to start if it is the correct one. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the receiver within the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits a instructions to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can create car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone offer keys with chips. They have a huge variety of keys, and can help you find the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle which is needed to operate the device.
Laser cut get keys cut are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than flat keys due to having locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or with specialized software. This technology is most commonly found in high-end cars, but is now available on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of fifteen possible values to prevent it from starting a vehicle it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the ignition of a car, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones found on modern smart keys, it's simply a carbon block properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades so that when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message 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 begins to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary however, it can deter a thief for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use, the VATS module in your car could start 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 could start to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key using a multimeter. All you need to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are visible on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance value of your key.
This can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not, the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start cars. Many of them have advanced features that many owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. keys cut near me now can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also need to be programmed at the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. key cut place 's a huge cost to pay for a device that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often 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.
One method of protecting a smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you must remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the protective case.
Certain policies that are more recent, such as auto club memberships and extended warranties, will pay for a replacement fob, or reimburse you if it is lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For most drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that is approximately 50% less than the price you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is one piece of metal with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit certain locks. These keys can open your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using traditional keys is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the car. If your car key has been damaged or lost it is necessary to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.
There are several choices to pick from based on how long it's been since you've were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, while others employ laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys come with advanced features, such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you choose to make use of a traditional key, your locksmith can create the new key using a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.
You could also replace your traditional keys for your car with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to protect their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals coming from the key and won't start.