The Next Big Event In The Cut Car Key Industry
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or even have it break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your vehicle, you will need a new key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the last 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle that send signals to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. 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 prevents car theft, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.
The microchip in your car key transmits an unintentional radio signal to the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip, which transmits a code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will be able to recognize this 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.
Car keys with chips can be made by an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. Those stores carry a huge selection 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 needed for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to having locks that are harder to pick. They can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost automobiles as well.
Another type of key for cars that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of a variety of values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a specific key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has a resistor embedded in it to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip like the ones used in modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They attached them to the key's blade so that when the key is turned in the ignition the coded signal is sent to the module. If the signal is in line with the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This isn't a way to make a car secure from theft, but it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a significant amount of usage, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it reroutes two small wires inside the ignition and with time, the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal to the module gets not received and it will not start the car.
The good news is that you can solve this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This method is also a great way to test a new key to determine if it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS and not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs of today do more than just unlock or start the car. They can also be a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them featuring advanced features that owners may not even know about. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking space, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. This is more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features also means that smart key fobs could be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes and they typically need to be programmed by the dealer.
In fact, some dealers will charge up to $100 to replace one smart key fob. sneak a peek here is a significant amount to pay for something that spends much of its time in pockets and purses, where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately, some automakers have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal another transmitter nearby.
One method to safeguard the smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from its protective case every time you want to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Certain policies that are more recent, such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will cover the cost of a replacement fob or reimburse you in the event that it gets lost. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning.
The decision of whether to buy an additional fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. In any case, you should always have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is approximately 50% less than what you'd pay at the 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 can open your locks and open the car, assuming you haven't exchanged them for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one made from the blank.
There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you cut your keys. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that come with the modern types of keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it harder for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are embedded in the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new key using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than using an electronic key fob or transponder key, and you'll still be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another alternative is to get your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for those who wish to add extra protection to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your car, it won't respond to the signals emanating from the key, and will not start.