Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. To ensure that you are able to always drive your vehicle you'll need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured within the past 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car checks the serial number of the chip prior to giving the car permission to begin. This stops theft of vehicles, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number in order to be able to steal it.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This prevents the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can design car keys with chips. Some car dealers, like AutoZone sell them. These stores have a large variety of keys, and can assist you in choosing the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle that is required for the device to function.
Laser cut key cutting cost G28 Car Keys UK are more secure than flat keys. They 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 equipment, or with specialized 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's difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that can only be found at some locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent of transponder keys and automobiles equipped with computer chips to control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key that has a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet black inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They attached them to key blades so that, when the key was turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal matches that of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car safe from burglary however, it can deter thieves for at least fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved every when the key is inserted. As time passes the wires can begin to break. If enough wires are damaged the signal goes out to the module and the car will not start.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance value of a key with the multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs of metal that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance value of your key.
This is a great method to test a brand new key and see whether it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to 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 vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit chirping sounds to help you locate your car in a parking space or allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more features than you get from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a high cost to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets in the event that it gets damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are typically 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 put it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if you have to remove your key fob every time you use it from the case.
Fortunately, some of the newer car insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of a replacement or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealer charges and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision of whether to purchase a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. Always keep a spare fob or key in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than the price you'd pay at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. These keys can open your locks and open the car, provided you don't swap them out to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of 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 lost or broken you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
There are a variety of options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you've cut your keys. Certain 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 ensures that only the correct key is used to start your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Transponder chips are an additional anti-theft device. They are embedded into the key and can communicate with your vehicle. This makes it only work only when you're within certain distance.
If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another alternative is to get your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to add extra protection to their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.