Key cutting and lock craziness

[Robin McDonald]

I got a fob and one key with my 2003 Prius. I don't think I have that smart key system since I don't have one of those power start buttons. I love the car so far but the ignition key won't open the back hatch. Is that normal? I guess the dealer should have given me a hatch key. Second, when I got home Wednesday I couldn't get out of the car. I think the cable to the interior pull detached. I can open the drivers door from the outside but not the inside. But based on the multiple fob modes I have to wonder if something else is going on. I went in to Home Depot to cut an extra key but he said my key has a transmitter chip inside of it so I could open the door but I couldn't start the car. What kind of crazy belt and suspenders protection is that? What possible virtue could there be other than making me go to the Toyota dealer to buy a super expensive and fat headed key that I won't want to keep in my wallet for backup?

Aside from this "feature" I pretty much love everything else about the car.

[ea8631]

Just wondering, the only key that come with your car is it black in color or grey in color? If it is grey in color, then you can't open your trunk with that key since it is a valet key. If it is black in color, then maybe the previous owner have changed the trunk lock without rekey the new lock cylinder. The only way that can solve this problem is take the lock cylinder out from the hatch and get it rekey by the locksmith. (It's around $25 for rekey the lock cylinder since I replaced mine 2 years ago).

If you just want a spare key for open doors and trunk only, you can go to home depot and get one cut for you. But if you want a spare key for open doors / trunk and start the car, the cheapest way is get a key from ebay (here is one for example): Toyota Transponder key includes programing instructions - eBay (item 300340344302 end time Aug-30-09 02:38:22 PDT)

After that, you can reprogram the key yourself. Here is the instruction:
Programming New Keys

[Robin McDonald]

Originally Posted by ea8631

Just wondering, the only key that come with your car is it black in color or grey in color? If it is grey in color, then you can't open your trunk with that key since it is a valet key. If it is black in color, then maybe the previous owner have changed the trunk lock without rekey the new lock cylinder. The only way that can solve this problem is take the lock cylinder out from the hatch and get it rekey by the locksmith. (It's around $25 for rekey the lock cylinder since I replaced mine 2 years ago).

If you just want a spare key for open doors and trunk only, you can go to home depot and get one cut for you. But if you want a spare key for open doors / trunk and start the car, the cheapest way is get a key from ebay (here is one for example): Toyota Transponder key includes programing instructions - eBay (item 300340344302 end time Aug-30-09 02:38:22 PDT)

After that, you can reprogram the key yourself. Here is the instruction:
Programming New Keys

Well I have to thank you for the great detailed information especially to the degree its money saving. I thought it would be more to re-key the trunk. I'd really like to get in with the key. I don't understand the point at all of having a key with a transponder in it.
I find it frustrating. I get no benefit out of it, but Toyota gets to sell me extras at fifty bucks a pop and it costs them two bucks tops.

[Robin McDonald]

I just bought a key for 9.95 by skipping the Ebay store and going right to the seller's home page. His shipping is ridiculous for mailing a key, but there was no sales tax. The total was 16.90. And I guess since there have been ignition transponders put in cars car thefts have gone way down...at least according to the website. I still resent paying sixteen dollars for a key for my not so new Prius. But its not too bitter a pill to swallow. Thanks for saving me thirty to fifty bucks.

[patsparks]

Originally Posted by Robin McDonald

I find it frustrating. I get no benefit out of it, but Toyota gets to sell me extras at fifty bucks a pop and it costs them two bucks tops.

You get a benefit each time you pay your insurance. If a car is harder to steal it is cheaper to insure.