Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is more than simply shaping the metal. It is a complex process that ensures security, functionality and durability of keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break in the lock. You will need an alternative car key to ensure you can drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the past 20 years, it's likely to have a transponder chip. These microchips are tiny located in the handle of your key which transmit an electronic signal to the car's onboard computer when you are using it. The computer in the car is able to verify the serial number digitally of the chip prior to allowing the car to start. This prevents car thieves from stealing your car, as they would need to know the unique serial number.
The microchip in your car keys transmits a low-level radio signal to the receiver inside the car. This radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start only if it recognizes the code. This will stop the use of "hot wiring" and other methods of stealing cars.
Locksmiths who provide these services can create keys for cars with chips. They can also be bought at certain automotive stores like AutoZone. Those stores carry a huge variety of keys and can assist you in selecting the best one for your vehicle. They can even assist you to program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to make it work.
You can also get laser cut keys that are more secure than conventional flat keys. These keys have a lock cylinder that is much harder to pick, and can only be duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines or with special software. This technology is more common in luxury vehicles, but it is now being used in a wide range of low-cost cars too.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is another type of key that's difficult to duplicate. These keys contain a resistor that's black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to any of fifteen possible values to stop it from starting a vehicle that's not designed to. These keys are more expensive to buy and require a specific key programming machine that is only located at certain locksmiths.
VATS Keys
Before transponder keys or vehicles with computer chips built in to control the ignition, GM used a system called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS uses a key with an internal resistor to confirm that the right key was used to start the car. 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 exact electrical resistance.
GM used 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected them to key blades so that, when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to module. If the signal 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 safe from theft however it will delay the theft by at least 15 to 20 minutes.
After a long period of use the VATS module could begin to wear out. Each time the key is inserted into the ignition, it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition, and, over time, the wires could begin to break. Once enough wires are broken, the signal to the module gets lost and the module won't be able to start the car.
You can solve this issue at home by decoding your VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as an indicator chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not that difficult. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the prongs made of metal sticking out on both sides of the key. Then look at the display of the ohmmeter to find out the resistance of your key.
This is also a good way to test the new key to determine if it will work in your car. Remove the key from the ignition first before you test it. In the event that it is not removed, the key may have an incorrect VATS, and will not function in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs with Smart Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock and start the vehicle. They can also be used as a security device and theft deterrent, with many of them featuring advanced features that the owners might not even know about. They can lock and unlock your door from a distance, make chirping noises to assist you in finding your vehicle in a parking lot or call it up by pressing the button. This is 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 pricier to replace than traditional keychain remotes. They also require programming by the dealer.
Some dealers will charge up to $100 for one smart fob. That's a lot to pay for a device that is often time snagging around in pockets and purses, where it is easily dropped, damaged, or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. Fortunately there are automakers who have developed methods to shield smart key fobs from the most common types of electronic attacks like relay attacks. These are often combined with a remote start hack that gives thieves access to your vehicle's settings by the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter nearby.
One way to protect the key fob's RFID is to keep it in a metal case or use an RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. The ease of use of this technology is diminished if you must remove your key fob every time you need to use it from the protective case.
Some of the newer policies such as auto club memberships and extended warranties, will pay for an additional fob or reimburse you in the event that it is lost. Suggested Website can also avoid paying new-car dealership fees by having your fob copied at a hardware or locksmith retailer that provides key-fob cloning.
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 start functions are. You should always keep a spare fob or key in case you misplace yours. If you do need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a wide selection of fobs for the majority of cars and trucks. Additionally, our fast and efficient service is 50% less than what you would spend at a dealership.
Traditional Keys
The car key of old is made of a single piece of steel with a series of grooves carved into it. These grooves are made to fit specific locks. These keys can unlock your locks and start your vehicle, provided that you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only disadvantage of using an old-fashioned car key is that you must physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key is lost, damaged or stolen, you'll need to visit an Gainesville locksmith to have a new one made from the blank.
Depending on how long has passed since you last had your keys cut there are a variety of options to choose from when it comes time to get another copy made. Certain keys are cut using mechanical machines and others are laser-cut with enhanced security features.
Modern keys have advanced features like encryption and anti-theft mechanisms. The encryption makes it difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or open locks. Transponder chips are a different security feature that prevents theft. They are embedded in the key and communicate with your vehicle. This means that it can only work only when you're within a specific distance.
If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make the new key using an ordinary cutter machine, which can be purchased from a variety of hardware stores. simply click the following site is cheaper than a key fob, or transponder, and you will still be able to use your trunk, locks and doors.
You can also replace your standard keys to your car with a laser-cut version that has an unique pattern. These keys were first introduced in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for those looking to add extra protection to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys come with transponder chips that are specifically programmed to work with your specific vehicle. If these chips are not present in your vehicle it won't respond to the signals sent by the key.