This Story Behind Cut Car Key Will Haunt You Forever!
Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is a lot more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures safety, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. To ensure that you can always drive your car you'll require a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
If your car was manufactured within the last 20 years, it is likely that it has transponder chips. These microchips are located in the handle of the key and transmit a signal the onboard computers in your vehicle when you press the key. The computer on board reads the digital serial number inside the chip and allows the car to start if it's the correct one. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start if it recognizes this code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at a locksmith that offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer them. These stores have a wide range of keys and will help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your vehicle's chip, which is required to operate the device.
You can also get laser cut keys, which are more secure than flat keys. They are more secure than traditional flat keys because they have locks that are more difficult to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in high-end cars, but it is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor on the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen potential values to prevent the car from starting that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to purchase and require a special key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a resistor pellet embedded inside it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip as found on most modern keys. It's just carbon or a block that is sized to have an electrical resistance.
GM employed 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached the key's blade, so that when the key is turned on in the ignition, a coded signal is transmitted to the module. If it 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 doesn't make a vehicle theft proof however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car may start to wear out. The two small wires in the ignition are moved each time the key is introduced. As time passes the wires can begin to break. Once enough wires are broken the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.
The good news is that you can fix this issue yourself by decoding your own VATS key. It's not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using a multimeter. You can find the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs of metal on both sides of your key.
This can also be a good method to test the new key to determine whether it works in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed the key could have an incorrect VATS and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Today's key fobs can do more than unlock or start the car. They can also be a security device and a burglar deterrent, with a lot of them having 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 allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their extra functions. They also have to be programmed by a dealer.
Some dealers charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that is often time jostled around in purses and pockets, where it can be easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic threats, including relay attacks. These are typically combined with a remote start hack which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.
To safeguard a smart fob, you can store it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. However, having to remove the key fob from a case that is protected each time you use it undermines the convenience of the technology.
Fortunately, a few of the latest 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 the lost fob. You can also avoid paying dealer fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith store that offers key-fob-cloning.
For the majority of drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on how important your car's keyless entry and push-button start functions are. It is always advisable to keep a spare key or fob on hand in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large choice of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, get a car key cut and efficient service is 50% less than what you would pay at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single length of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys will unlock your locks and start the car, assuming you don't swap them out for a smart key or remote key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is damaged, lost or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one cut from the blank.
Based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time you got your keys cut there are a variety of options to select from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines, while others are laser-cut with security features that are enhanced.
Some of these features that come with the modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your car and make it only work when it's within a specific range of your car.
If you opt to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can design an entirely new key using a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or transponder, and you can still operate your trunk, locks, and doors.
You could also replace your traditional keys to your car with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Keys made of lasers are typically equipped with transponder chip that is programmed to only work with your vehicle. If the chips aren't present in your vehicle, it won't respond to the signals from the key and won't be able to start.