online Cutting Explained
Cutting keys for cars is more than just bending a piece of metal. It is a complex process that guarantees security, function and longevity of keys.
It is not uncommon to lose your car key or even break it in the lock. You'll need a replacement car key to ensure that you are able to drive your car at all times.
cheap key cutting are likely be added to cars that were built in the last 20 years. These chips are small microchips in the handle of your key that send a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer whenever you use it. The computer in the car checks the serial number of the chip before it allows the car to begin. This prevents car theft since thieves need to know your unique serial number to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the car's receiver. The radio signal activates the microchip, which then transmits a code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only begin when it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of theft of cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can make keys for cars with chips. They can also be purchased at certain automotive stores, such as AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can assist you in programming your car's chip which is needed to use the device.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys feature a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and they can only be duplicated using expensive laser key cutting equipment or special software. This technology is more prevalent in luxury vehicles, but it is now available in many affordable models of cars too.
Another type of car key that is hard to duplicate is the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system) key. The keys are black with a resistor on the blade of the key that is programmed with one of 15 potential values to prevent them from starting a vehicle that it's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a special key programming machine that can only be located at certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before transponder keys and vehicles with computers built-in to control the ignition, GM used a system known as VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a key that has an internal resistor to ensure that the correct key was used to start the car. The black VATS pellet located in the middle of a VATS key is not an electronic chip as present in modern smart keys. It is simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry an exact electrical resistance.
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 module. If the signal matches the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet, then the relay in the starter circuit will turn on and the engine will start to run. This does not make a car safe from burglary however it could delay the thief for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, after a long period of use the VATS module in your car can start to wear out. The two wires inside the ignition are moved each time a key is introduced. Over time the wires can start to break. Once enough of the 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 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 that difficult. You can determine the resistance value by putting one of the leads on the metal prongs on both sides of your key.
This is also a good way to test a new key to see whether it works in your vehicle. Just be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, as the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the vehicle. They are also used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them incorporating advanced features that owners might not be aware of. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot, or even let you summon your vehicle by pressing a button on your smartphone. This is a lot more features than you obtain from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace due their additional functions. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.
In fact, some dealers charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. This is a significant amount to pay for something that is often time in purses and pockets, where it is easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme humidity and temperatures. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs 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 an untrue signal from a nearby transmitter.
To secure a smart card, you can store it in a metal casing or put it in an RFID blocking case. This will block the transmission of these signals. The convenience of this technology is compromised if need to remove your key fob each time you want to use it from the protective case.
Fortunately, some newer car-insurance policies and auto club memberships and extended warranty coverages will pay for the cost of replacing a fob or reimburse you for the lost fob. You can also save money on new car dealership charges and get your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store that offers key-fob cloning services.
For most drivers who want to buy a new key fob depends on the importance of your car's keyless entry and push button starter functions are. In any case, you should always have a spare key or fob handy just in case you lose it. If you have to purchase a replacement, Batteries Plus has a vast selection of fobs for the majority of vehicles and trucks. In addition, our quick and efficient service is 50% less than the price you'd buy from the dealership.
Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a single piece of metal that has a series of grooves cut into it to fit a specific lock. These keys can open your locks and also start the car, provided you haven't exchanged them to a smart or remote key. The only drawback of using a traditional key is that it needs to be physically placed into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have an alternative one cut from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since the last time you cut your keys, there are several different alternatives to pick from when it comes to getting another copy. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to make copies, whereas others use laser-cut keys that have been designed with enhanced security features in mind.
Modern keys are equipped with advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption ensures that only the correct key can be used to start your vehicle, making it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or pick locks. Other security features that prevent theft include transponder chips, which are embedded in the key to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within a specific distance of your car.
If you decide to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make the new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This is less expensive than the key fob or transponder key, and you'll be able to operate your locks, doors and trunk.
You could also replace your traditional car keys with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. These keys were introduced in the 1990s and have become an increasingly popular choice for those who wish to safeguard their automobiles. Laser cut keys typically have special transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your car it won't be able to respond to the signals emanating from the key and won't be able to start.