The People Nearest To Cut Car Key Tell You Some Big Secrets
Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting a car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees security, function and durability of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even break it in the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you can drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured in the past 20 years, it is likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are situated in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers within the chip and allows the car to start if it is the right one. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle since they'd need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates the microchip, which transmits an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will recognize this code and only allow it to start only if the key is the right one. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Locksmiths that offer these services can design keys for cars with chips. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can help you get the right one for your car. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than flat keys due to the fact that they have a lock that is harder to pick. They can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more prevalent in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars too.
Another kind of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming machine that is only found at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with a resistor embedded in it to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is in the center of the VATS key isn't an electronic chip as used in modern smart keys, it is simply a carbon block that is sized appropriately to have a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets. They connected the key's blade so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be sent to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet, then the relay in starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin 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 get car key cut of use, the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it reroutes two small wires within the ignition, and over time the wires may begin to break. Once enough of the wires break then the signal to the module is not received and it will not start the car.
You can solve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key by using a multimeter. All you have to do is put one of the leads of your ohm meter on the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key, and then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance of your key.
This is a great way to test out a new key and determine if it works in your vehicle. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. If not the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or as a theft deterrent. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or allow you to summon it by pressing a button. This is a lot more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that added capabilities can mean that smart key fobs may be pricier 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. This is a significant amount to pay for a product that spends much of its time jostled around in purses and pockets, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart key fobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are typically combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings via the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter close to.
To protect a smart fob you can put it in a casing made of metal or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will stop the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from a case that is protected each time you need to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Some of the newer policies, such as auto club memberships or extended warranties, will cover the cost of a replacement 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 which offers key-fob cloning.
For most drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. Always keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The traditional car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit certain locks. They can unlock your locks and also start the car, as long as you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only disadvantage of using the traditional key is that it has to be physically placed into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your car key has been lost or broken, you will need to visit a Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
You have a few choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you've had your keys cut. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes sure that only the right key can be used to start your car making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you choose to use a traditional standard key, a locksmith is able to create a new one with a standard key cutting machine that can be found at the majority of hardware stores. This is cheaper than using the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your doors, locks and trunk.
Another option is to have the traditional car keys replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who wish to protect their automobiles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to work only with your vehicle. If these chips aren't installed in your car, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't start.