Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than just shaping an object of metal. It is a complicated process that ensures security, functionality and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose keys to your car, or have them break through the lock. You’ll need a new car key in order to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
Transponder keys cut
Transponder chips are likely be installed in cars that were built in the last 20 years. These microchips are in the handle of the key and transmit a signal to the onboard computers of your vehicle when you use the key. The computer in the car scans the digital serial numbers in the chip and only allows the car keys cut and programmed to start if it’s the right one. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number to be able to take over it.
The microchip in the key transmits a low-level signal to the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates microchip, which transmits a 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 to steal cars.
Locksmiths who offer these services can create car keys with chips. They are also available at a few automotive stores like AutoZone. These stores have a large selection of keys, and can help you find the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming the chip in your vehicle which is needed to operate the device.
You can also purchase laser cut keys that are more secure than traditional flat keys. They have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they are only duplicated using expensive laser key cutting machines or with specially designed software. This technology is most common in high-end cars but is now accessible on a variety of affordable models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system), key is another type of key that is difficult to duplicate. These keys feature a black resistor in the key cut 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 costly and require a key programming machine, which is only available through certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or cars with computer chips that control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the car. The VATS black pellet that is located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as found on modern smart keys, it’s simply a carbon block appropriately sized to have an exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistance values for the VATS pellets and attached them to the blade of the key, so that when the key is turned in the ignition a coded signal will be transmitted to the module. If the signal is in line with 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 doesn’t make a car safe from theft, but it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a prolonged period of usage the VATS module could begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two very small wires inside the ignition and, over time, the wires could start to break. Once enough of the wires are broken the signal to the module is lost and the module won’t be able to start the car.
The good news is that you can fix this problem yourself at home by decoding your VATS key. It’s not hard to determine the resistance of a key by using the multimeter. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are hanging out on both sides of the key, then read the ohm meter’s display to find out the resistance of your key.
This is a great opportunity to test out a new key and check whether it will work in your vehicle. Remove the ignition key first before you test it. If not the key may have an incorrect VATS and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
honda pilot key cutting fobs today are more than just a way to unlock or start cars. They often have advanced features that a lot of owners are unaware of. They can be employed as a security tool or as a theft deterrent. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking space and even allow you to summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is more than you could ever expect from the traditional keychain remote. Unfortunately, all that extra functionality can mean 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 dealers will charge up to $100 for a single smart fob. It’s a high cost to pay for a product that is frequently tossed around in pockets and purses where it could be damaged, thrown or exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity. Fortunately certain automakers have come up with ways to protect smart key fobs from common kinds of electronic attacks, such as relay attacks. These are usually utilized in conjunction with remote-start hacks that allow thieves to gain access to your vehicle’s settings by transmitting a fake signal from another nearby transmitter.
One method to safeguard a smart key fob is to store it in a metal case or a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, the necessity of removing the key fob from a case that is protected each time you want to use it is not a good way to enjoy the benefits of the technology.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies, auto club memberships, and extended warranty insurance policies will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or pay for the loss of a fob. You can also save money on dealer charges and have your fob cut at the hardware store or locksmith that offers key-fob cloning services.
For the majority of drivers who are buying an additional key fob is contingent on the importance of your car’s keyless entry and push-button start functions are. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in case you misplace yours. Batteries Plus offers a large range of replacement fobs that will fit on most cars and trucks. Plus, we offer an easy, fast service that is approximately 50% less than you’d buy from a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is one piece of metal with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can unlock your locks and start your car, provided you haven’t replaced them with a remote key or laser key cutting smart key. The only downside of using a traditional car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your car key is damaged or lost you’ll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get a new one created.
You have a few options to choose from depending on how long it has been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys that have been made with security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that are included in modern types of keys include encryption and other security mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the right key is used to open your vehicle making it much more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips that are incorporated into the key to connect with your vehicle and allow it to only function when it’s within a certain range of your car.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can create a new key with a standard cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk locks, trunk locks, and doors.
You could also replace your traditional cheap car key cutting keys with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are a popular choice for those looking to provide extra security to their automobiles. 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 will not respond to the signals transmitted by the key.