Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car keys or even break it 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 within the last 20 years, it is likely that it has a transponder chip. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you press the key. The onboard computer detects the digital serial number in the chip and only allows the car to start if it's the right one. This helps prevent theft of cars since thieves need to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip inside the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. This radio signal activates your microchip which then transmits code to the computer onboard of the car. The car will recognize the code and only allow it to start when it is the correct one. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of taking cars.
cheapest key cutting near me g28carkeys.co.uk with chips can be made at an authorized locksmith who offers these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone sell keys with chips. These stores offer a wide range of keys and can assist you in finding the appropriate one for your car. They can help you program the chip in your vehicle, which is required for the device to function.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature an cylinder for locking that is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with 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 cars as well.
Another type of car key that's 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 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. They are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses an ordinary key with a resistor pellet embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet inside the middle of the VATS key isn't a chip like those present in modern smart keys, it's simply a piece of carbon that is sized appropriately to have an electrical resistance that is specific to.
GM employed 15 different resistances for VATS pellets and attached them to key blades so that when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal is in line with that of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will be activated and the engine will start to run. This isn't a way to make a car theft proof, but it will delay the thief by at minimum 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module could begin to wear out. The two wires that connect the ignition are moved every when the key is inserted. Over time, the wires may start to break. Once enough of the wires are broken then the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can solve this problem at home yourself by decoding your VATS code. It's not difficult to determine the resistance of a key by using the multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by placing one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is a great method to test a brand new key and see whether 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 with Smart Keys
Key fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start the car. A lot of them come with advanced features that a lot of owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security gadget or a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you find your vehicle in a parking lot or allow you to call your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. That's a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due to their additional functions. They also require to be programmed at the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a product that spends a lot of its time jostled around in purses and pockets where it is easily dropped, damaged or exposed to extreme moisture and temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic threats like relay attacks. They are usually paired with remote start hacks that allows thieves access to your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.
One way to protect a smart key fob is to put it in a metal case or use a dedicated RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of the technology is compromised if must take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a 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 most drivers, the decision to purchase a new key fob depends on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that fit on most cars and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than what you'd buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. They can open your locks and begin your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it has to be physically inserted into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional car key is lost or broken it is necessary to visit an 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 were able to cut your keys. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other anti-theft features include transponder chips, which are embedded into the keys to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only work when it's within a specific distance of your vehicle.
If you opt to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith is able to make a new one using a standard key cutter machine, which is available at the majority of hardware stores. This is less expensive than a key fob, or a transponder. you are still able to operate your locks, trunk and doors.
Another alternative is to get the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were first introduced in the early 1990s and are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to secure their vehicles. Laser cut keys are typically equipped with transponder chips that are programmed to only work with your vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.