Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car key or even have it break in the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the last 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are in the key's handle and send a signal to the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car detects the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops thieves from stealing your car because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car keys transmits an low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an informational code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. They are also available at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a large selection of keys, and can assist you in finding the best one for your vehicle. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is required to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys have an cylinder for locking that is much more difficult to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury cars but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.
Another kind of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. These keys have a black resistor in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before the advent 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). key cutting services makes use of a key with an internal resistor to verify that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is inside the middle of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip like the ones present in modern smart keys, it is simply a piece 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 in a way that, when the key was 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 will start to run. This isn't a way to make a car safe from theft however it will delay the theft by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car could begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny 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 will not start.
You can solve this problem at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll need a multimeter and a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs of metal that are sticking out on both sides of the key, then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and determine whether it works in your vehicle. Make sure you remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, otherwise the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Today's key fobs do more than just unlock or start a car. They are also a security device and a security measure against theft, with many of them incorporating advanced features that the owners might not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door remotely and emit chirping sounds to help you locate your vehicle when you're in a hurry or summon it by pressing the button. This is more than you'd expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added functionality also means that smart key fobs can be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge up to $100 to replace a single smart key fob. It's a steep price for a device that's often tossed around in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed ways to protect smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard the smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a case that is protected each time you need to use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships or extended warranties can cover the cost of an additional fob, or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on new car dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store who offers key fob cloning.
For the majority of drivers, the decision to purchase an extra key fob will depend on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. You should always keep a spare key or fob in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that will fit in most vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you would buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start your car, provided you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback to using a traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since you last got your keys cut There are many options available for you to pick from when it comes to getting another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.
Modern keys come with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the correct key is used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it only work when it's within the range of your car.
If you choose to use a conventional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new key with a standard key cutting machine which can be purchased at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder. you are still able to operate your trunk, locks, and doors.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key, and will not start.