Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated procedure that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or have it break off in the lock. You'll need a new car key in order to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
car key cutting cost are likely to be fitted in vehicles that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are tiny microchips in the key's handle which transmit a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer onboard examines the serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This helps prevent theft of cars, as thieves would need to know your unique serial number to be able to steal it.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the car's receiver. The radio signal activates your microchip that then transmits the code to the onboard computer of the car. The car will recognize this code and will only allow it to start if the key is the right one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods to steal cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. Some auto dealers like AutoZone offer keys with chips. Those stores carry a huge range of keys and will assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even help you programme the chip into your vehicle, which is essential for it to function.
There are also laser cut keys, which are more secure than traditional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is more difficult to pick, and can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or special software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in many affordable models of cars too.
Another kind of key for cars 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 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a car that it's not intended to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming device that can only be found at a few locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as 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 vehicle. 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 appropriately sized to have a specific 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, a coded signal is sent 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 starts to run. This isn't a way to make a car theft proof, 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 can begin to wear out. Each time a key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition, and with time, the wires can begin to break. When enough wires break then the signal to the module is lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can resolve this issue at home yourself by decoding your VATS key. It's not difficult to determine the resistance value of a key with a multimeter. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the prongs made of metal on both sides of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test a brand new key and see whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your car.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that most owners are not aware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, make sounding sounds to help locate your car in a parking space and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your smartphone. This is a lot more functionality than you can get from a traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra features also means that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than traditional keychain remotes, and they usually need to be programmed by the dealer.
Some sellers charge as much as $100 for a single smart fob. It's a high price for a device that is often jostled in pockets and purses where it can be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Certain automakers have developed strategies to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often employed in conjunction with a remote-start hack that allows thieves to access the settings of your vehicle by sending false signals from a nearby transmitter.
One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to put it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that blocks the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if need to take your key fob out every time you need to use it from the case.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranty insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob cloned by a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob-cloning services.
For the majority of drivers who are buying an extra key fob will depend on how crucial your car's keyless entry and push-button starter functions are. In any event it is advisable to keep an extra fob or key in case you lose yours. If you do need to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit most cars and trucks. We also offer an easy, fast service that costs roughly 50% less than you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single length of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and open the car, as long as you haven't changed them out to a smart or remote key. The only drawback to using traditional keys is that it has to be physically put into the ignition to start the car. If your traditional car key is lost or broken you'll need to visit the Gainesville Locksmith to have a new one made.
There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you had your keys cut. Some keys are cut using mechanical machines or lasers, while others are cut with added security features.
Modern keys come with advanced features such as encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are another security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded into the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only effective when you're within a certain distance.
If you choose to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new key with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at most hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another alternative is to get your standard car key replaced with a laser-cut version that has a unique pattern. These keys were introduced in the early 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to secure 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 vehicle it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.