Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a sophisticated process that guarantees security, efficiency and long-term use of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. You will need a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built within the past 20 years, it is likely to have transponder chips. These microchips are in the key's handle and transmit a signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The computer onboard examines the digital serial number of the chip prior to it allows the car to begin. This stops thieves from hijacking your vehicle, as they would need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car key sends a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This 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 stops "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create car keys with chips. mobile key cutting near me as AutoZone offer them. They have a vast selection of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your car. They can assist you in programming your car'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 flat keys because they have locks that are harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting equipment, or specialized software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in many affordable models of cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys have a black resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not designed to. These keys are costly and require an instrument for programming keys, which is only available at a few locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys or cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The VATS pellet in black in the middle of a VATS Key isn't an electronic chip that is like those found on most modern keys. It is merely carbon or a block which is sized to hold an electrical resistance value.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets. They connected them to key blades so that when the key was turned on, the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal matches the one of the transistors in a VATS pellet then the relay in starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary, but it can delay thieves for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use, the VATS module in your car can start 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 can start to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car will not start.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS code. You'll require a multimeter and an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm gauge on the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter's display to determine the resistance value of your key.
This method is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it works in your car. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, as the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and may not function in your car.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They often have advanced features that most owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make noises that help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or even allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you get from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their extra functions. They also require to be programmed by a dealer.
In fact, some dealers cost upwards of $100 to replace a single smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that spends much of its time in purses and pockets, where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually used in combination with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through false signals from a nearby transmitter.
To protect a smart fob to protect it, you can place it in a metal case or even an RFID blocking case. This will prevent the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is diminished if you need to take your key fob out every time you want to take it out of the protective case.
Certain policies that are more recent like auto club memberships or extended warranties will pay for a replacement fob or reimburse you in the event that it is lost. key cut places near me can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith which offers key-fob cloning.
For most drivers who are buying a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any event, you should always have an extra fob or key in case in case you lose yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and convenient service costs about 50% less than what you would spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of steel that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit in a specific lock. They can open your locks and begin your car, assuming you haven't replaced them by an electronic key or a remote key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you have to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key is lost or broken, you will need to visit an Gainesville Locksmith to get a new one created.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last cut your keys, there are several different options available for you to choose from when it comes time to get another copy. Some keys use mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that are designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Some of these features that are included in modern keys include encryption and other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption ensures that only the right key is used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to communicate with your car and make it work only when it's within the distance of your car.
If you decide to utilize a traditional key your locksmith can make a new key with an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks and doors.
Another option is to have your standard car key replaced with a laser cut version with a unique pattern. The first keys of this kind were released in the early 1990s and are a popular option for those who wish to safeguard their vehicles. Laser cut keys typically come with transponder chips that are programmed to work only for your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle they will not respond to the signals sent by the key.