Another SKS Question

[withersea]

How much time does the key fob need to spend in the slot in the dash? The salesman told me that it needed some time in the dash to charge properly. My apologies if this info is in the owners manual, but I am sitting at my desk without access to the manual and this question is driving me nuts.

[brandon]

Well, you should be glad you asked your question here... the fob does not charge in the dash. In fact, it does not charge at all. And since your Prius includes SKS, you don't even need to put the fob into the slot at all!

[nwprius]

Another dumb salesman. The fob does not charge in the dash slot. Just use it like a key. Put it in to start the car and take it out when you finish your drive. You must not have the SKS as with it you do not have to put it in the slot.

[FBear]

Another car salesperson another idiot. There is no way to charge the FOB. It contains a battery that should last about 3-5 years and then needs replacement. You never have to put the FOB in the slot. You can keep it in your pocket as long as it is not near a cell phone that is on.

[withersea]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brandon @ Jul 25 2006, 10:08 AM) [snapback]291928[/snapback]</div>

Well, you should be glad you asked your question here... the fob does not charge in the dash. In fact, it does not charge at all. And since your Prius includes SKS, you don't even need to put the fob into the slot at all!
[/b]

Thanks for all of the replies. This will save me some time looking through the owners manual for something that is not there. I do have the SKS and usually keep the key in my pocket, but wanted to make sure I wasn't neglecting something. I'll blame this one on the dumbass salesperson. : )

[eagle33199]

Although it would be pretty cool if you could recharge the FOB through the slot... imagine never having to replace that battery!

[Ichabod]

Replacing a battery once every 3-5 years is now too much effort? LOL

[8AA]

If the batteries run down in the FOB, you can open the door with the little key and the put the FOB into the dashboard slot. Even with a dead FOB battery, the car should start.

[Jeannie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ Jul 25 2006, 11:24 AM) [snapback]291966[/snapback]</div>

Replacing a battery once every 3-5 years is now too much effort? LOL
[/b]

Here's a link to a page that illustrates how to change the battery on the fob:
http://www.vfaq.net/mods/keyfob.html

It shows it on a 2004, but it's still the same on the 2006. The replacement battery is a CR2032 battery - I bought one online for $3.77 including shipping, just so I have a spare battery when I need to replace it.

[Syclone]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeannie @ Jul 26 2006, 06:47 PM) [snapback]292814[/snapback]</div>

Here's a link to a page that illustrates how to change the battery on the fob:
http://www.vfaq.net/mods/keyfob.html

It shows it on a 2004, but it's still the same on the 2006. The replacement battery is a CR2032 battery - I bought one online for $3.77 including shipping, just so I have a spare battery when I need to replace it.
[/b]

Houston, we have a problem. The shelf life of the CR2032 battery is about 3 - 5 years. When your battery dies in the fob, the spare will probably be breathing it's last as well. The current draw on the fob battery is microamps. The only way it will die faster is if you use the manual Lock and unlock buttons a lot.