Can the metal key be duplicated?

8AA · 08-22-2004, 10:07 AM

Has anyone successfully had the metal key duplicated? If I ever get my Prius, I would like to carry a spare key in my wallet. I realize that I won't be able to start the car with only the mechanical key, but I plan on hiding the spare fob somewhere inside the car. I will either put the spare fob in an Altoids tin or remove the batteries.

**efusco** · 08-22-2004, 10:55 AM

sure can...in fact some people even got a credit card key...a piece of plastic just like a credit card with their key stamped in it to keep in their wallet for emergencies.

hdrygas · 08-22-2004, 11:02 PM

Where do you get a credit card key. I had one for my 00 Ford and I loved it. I did not get one with my last one but it was great. I guess I did not get a key because it had a key pad on the outside and I could get in when I needed to. It is difficult to lock your fob in the car. I know because I tried to lock my second fob in the car on my way home with my new car. I had to keep two fobs in my pocket to lock my car. I think it is difficult to loose or lock a fob in the car. I would suggest that the plastic key is not useful unless you leave the fob in the car in a Faraday box for someone else to pick up and use the car.

inventor00 · 10-13-2007, 11:47 AM

We used to get a plastic key from the AAA- when they were at the Orange County Fair. I have not gotten one for our Prius but have duplicated the key- like you are at a convention and just want to take a nap in the car but you forgot your real key.

mnky357us · 10-14-2007, 10:36 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(inventor00 @ Oct 13 2007, 10:47 AM) [snapback]525118[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

We used to get a plastic key from the AAA- when they were at the Orange County Fair. I have not gotten one for our Prius but have duplicated the key- like you are at a convention and just want to take a nap in the car but you forgot your real key.
[/b]

You could just Remove the battery or disable it with a clear plastic.

Vincent · 10-14-2007, 06:17 PM

Home Depot will duplicate the small SKS key for $1.99.

RobH · 10-14-2007, 06:55 PM

The keyfob key is available as a separate item from Toyota Parts. I recommend that you either have the dealer cut the key, or take it to a real locksmith. The dealer will make an accurate copy, or keep trying until he does. Locksmiths are generally skilled enough that they will make a good copy on the first try, but if they fail you're out the cost of the blank. Don't let your local hardware store person near the expensive Toyota blank - their equipment typically is not designed to properly hold the small key.

Any hardware store can make a duplicate of the keyfob key on a standard Toyota blank. Mine is a Axxess #35.

There is a transponder inside the keyfob, but the only way you can get one is with a keyfob. I wish the key companies would come out with a Prius transponder key. It would be a keyfob without any buttons, and should cost something like $35.

zang · 11-02-2007, 09:03 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RobH @ Oct 14 2007, 05:55 PM) [snapback]525552[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The keyfob key is available as a separate item from Toyota Parts. I recommend that you either have the dealer cut the key, or take it to a real locksmith. The dealer will make an accurate copy, or keep trying until he does. Locksmiths are generally skilled enough that they will make a good copy on the first try, but if they fail you're out the cost of the blank. Don't let your local hardware store person near the expensive Toyota blank - their equipment typically is not designed to properly hold the small key.

Any hardware store can make a duplicate of the keyfob key on a standard Toyota blank. Mine is a Axxess #35.

There is a transponder inside the keyfob, but the only way you can get one is with a keyfob. I wish the key companies would come out with a Prius transponder key. It would be a keyfob without any buttons, and should cost something like $35.
[/b]

I was worried about having to be towed if I lost my smart key. So I made 2 duplicates of the small key at my locksmith...both which work great and didn't hurt the original at all... for about $1.50 each. I put one in my wallet and the other in one of those magnetic boxes under the car, in case I lose my keys AND my wallet. Then I wrapped my extra smart key in layers of tin foil (so it wouldn't disturb the normal use of my primary smart key) and with duct tape I taped it inside of my car in a hidden location. And, because I'm a preparedness freak, I ordered an extra smart key from streetkeys.com for $165. That's about $40 cheaper than the dealer. When it arrives my dealer says they will program the new key for $40 in about an hour. I got some of these ideas from PriusChat posts and thank everyone who wrote in about their experiences.

Dr Ed · 11-04-2007, 06:20 PM

I got a small key duplicate, placed in a hide-a-key box and stuck it down the wheel well behind the rear wheel. Nice little compartment there.

kocho · 11-05-2007, 04:03 PM

Sure. I cut one at Sears and it opens the car fine, but of course - no transponder in it so it can't start it. In my Mazda MPV I hide the original key (only got one!) in the car and use regular key cut for $3.00 to start the car.

The Mazda has a strong transponder that operates a couple of feet away. Not so in my '02 Prius - the original key needs to be within no more than an inch from the ignition for a replacement key without a transponder to work. So my $3 replacement key strategy does not work as well as in the Mazda MPV.

So the next best thing is a $14 (shipped) transponder key blank off eBay that I just ordered. I have not had it cut yet though. Once it is cut it is a matter of following the programming instructions that come with the key and are also found on the net to program the second key as a master or secondary as you whish.

So, for under $15 plus may be $2 to get the key cut at a locksmith, I hope to get a full functioning transponder key. Sure beats the dealer cost for the same item. Plus, if I lose my original key, I would still have a working master key that can be used for programming another key, where if no key is available at all - I hear it is an expensive job to initially program them...

08-22-2004, 10:07 AM	#1
8AA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 492 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Can the metal key be duplicated? Has anyone successfully had the metal key duplicated? If I ever get my Prius, I would like to carry a spare key in my wallet. I realize that I won't be able to start the car with only the mechanical key, but I plan on hiding the spare fob somewhere inside the car. I will either put the spare fob in an Altoids tin or remove the batteries.

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08-22-2004, 10:55 AM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,225 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	sure can...in fact some people even got a credit card key...a piece of plastic just like a credit card with their key stamped in it to keep in their wallet for emergencies.

08-22-2004, 11:02 PM	#3
hdrygas Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Olympia Wa Posts: 3,650 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Where do you get a credit card key. I had one for my 00 Ford and I loved it. I did not get one with my last one but it was great. I guess I did not get a key because it had a key pad on the outside and I could get in when I needed to. It is difficult to lock your fob in the car. I know because I tried to lock my second fob in the car on my way home with my new car. I had to keep two fobs in my pocket to lock my car. I think it is difficult to loose or lock a fob in the car. I would suggest that the plastic key is not useful unless you leave the fob in the car in a Faraday box for someone else to pick up and use the car. __________________ Belle, a Millennium Silver '04 BC #9 "Becoming one with my Prius, ICE on ICE off" Belle has been passed on to my daughter. I have a new silver Prius 08. No name yet we have just met but not been introduced.

10-13-2007, 11:47 AM	#4
inventor00 Orange County Prius Club Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Newport Beach,CA Posts: 773 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	We used to get a plastic key from the AAA- when they were at the Orange County Fair. I have not gotten one for our Prius but have duplicated the key- like you are at a convention and just want to take a nap in the car but you forgot your real key.

10-14-2007, 06:17 PM	#6
Vincent Don't Wait Until Tomorrow Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 438 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Home Depot will duplicate the small SKS key for $1.99.

10-14-2007, 06:55 PM	#7
RobH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sunnyvale, California Posts: 305 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The keyfob key is available as a separate item from Toyota Parts. I recommend that you either have the dealer cut the key, or take it to a real locksmith. The dealer will make an accurate copy, or keep trying until he does. Locksmiths are generally skilled enough that they will make a good copy on the first try, but if they fail you're out the cost of the blank. Don't let your local hardware store person near the expensive Toyota blank - their equipment typically is not designed to properly hold the small key. Any hardware store can make a duplicate of the keyfob key on a standard Toyota blank. Mine is a Axxess #35. There is a transponder inside the keyfob, but the only way you can get one is with a keyfob. I wish the key companies would come out with a Prius transponder key. It would be a keyfob without any buttons, and should cost something like $35.

11-04-2007, 06:20 PM	#9
Dr Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 183 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I got a small key duplicate, placed in a hide-a-key box and stuck it down the wheel well behind the rear wheel. Nice little compartment there.

11-05-2007, 04:03 PM	#10
kocho Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 107 My Car: 2002 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Sure. I cut one at Sears and it opens the car fine, but of course - no transponder in it so it can't start it. In my Mazda MPV I hide the original key (only got one!) in the car and use regular key cut for $3.00 to start the car. The Mazda has a strong transponder that operates a couple of feet away. Not so in my '02 Prius - the original key needs to be within no more than an inch from the ignition for a replacement key without a transponder to work. So my $3 replacement key strategy does not work as well as in the Mazda MPV. So the next best thing is a $14 (shipped) transponder key blank off eBay that I just ordered. I have not had it cut yet though. Once it is cut it is a matter of following the programming instructions that come with the key and are also found on the net to program the second key as a master or secondary as you whish. So, for under $15 plus may be $2 to get the key cut at a locksmith, I hope to get a full functioning transponder key. Sure beats the dealer cost for the same item. Plus, if I lose my original key, I would still have a working master key that can be used for programming another key, where if no key is available at all - I hear it is an expensive job to initially program them...