Car Key Cutting Explained
Cutting the car key is more than just bending a piece metal. It is a complicated process that guarantees safety, functionality and the longevity of keys.
It is not unusual to lose your car keys or have them break in the lock. To ensure you're able to always drive your car, you will need to have a replacement key cut.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key that transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer whenever you use it. The onboard computer reads the digital serial number within the chip and allows the car to start if it's the right one. This stops thieves from taking over your vehicle because they'd have to be aware of the unique serial number.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates microchip, and it then sends a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will be able to recognize this code and will only allow it to start only if the key is the correct one. This will stop "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be made at locksmiths that offer these services. They can also be bought at some automotive retailers like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge selection of keys and can help you get the right one for your vehicle. They can help you program your car's chip that is required for the device to function.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys have the lock cylinder, which is much more difficult to pick, and are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specialized software. This type of technology is typically found in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars too.
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 in the key blade that is programmed with one of fifteen possible values to prevent the car from starting that it's not intended to. These keys are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys and cars that had computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS makes use of a regular key with a pellet of resistance embedded in it to confirm that the correct key is being used to start the car. The VATS pellet that is black in the middle of a VATS Key is not a smart chip like those present on modern keys. cost to get a key cut is merely carbon or a block that is sized to provide an electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key so that when the key is turned on 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 car secure from burglary however, it can deter thieves for at least 15 to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of use the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires within the ignition, and with time, the wires may begin to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't start.
The good news is that you can solve this issue yourself by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter and a chart to find out the resistance value of your key, but it is not that difficult. 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. Then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance value of your key.
This can also be a good method to test a new key to determine whether it will work in your car. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition before you begin testing it, or else the new key could have an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs
Key fobs today are more than just unlock or start the vehicle. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them having advanced features that owners may not even be aware of. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance and emit chirping sounds to aid in locating your vehicle when you're in a hurry, or allow you to call it up by pressing the button. That's a lot more than you could ever think of from a standard keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra capabilities can mean that smart key fobs may be more expensive to replace than standard keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. That's a huge sum to pay for something that spends much of its time in pockets and purses, which is where it's easily damaged, dropped, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Some automakers have developed methods to protect smart keyfobs from common electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal from another transmitter nearby.
One method of protecting a smart key fob is to keep it in an aluminum case or 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 use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, a few of the latest car insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for a lost fob. You can also save money on new-car dealership charges and get your fob cut at a hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.
The decision to buy a new fob is largely based on the importance of your car's keyless start and entry functions. Always keep an extra key or fob in case you misplace yours. If you have to purchase a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. Additionally, we provide an efficient, quick service that is roughly 50% less than you'd buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional keys for cars are a single piece of metal with a series of grooves cut into it to fit into a particular lock. They can open your locks and start your car, assuming you don't replace them with an electronic key or a remote key. The only drawback of using traditional keys is that it needs to be physically inserted into the ignition to start the vehicle. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll have to visit a Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.
Depending on how much time has passed since you last had your keys cut, there are several different alternatives to choose from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys are cut with mechanical machines and 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 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 connect with your vehicle and allow it to work only when it's within a certain distance of your vehicle.
If you decide to use a traditional, standard key, a locksmith can create a new key with a standard key cutting machine, which is available at many hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob or a transponder, and you will still be able to use your locks, trunk and doors.
Another option is to have your traditional car key replaced with a laser-cut version with a unique pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the 1990s and they're a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their vehicles. Typically, laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are designed to work only with your specific vehicle. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle, they will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.