How often do you recharge the key?

dachshund · 10-20-2006, 02:55 PM

I'm just curious how often people are recharging the smart key by plugging it into the dash? I had one dealer say that you never have to put it in the dash, and another dealer said to recharge about once a week.

To be safe I'm on the once-a-week plan.

Thanks in advance for you opinions.

Trevor · 10-20-2006, 02:57 PM

I wasn't aware that the key was rechargeable. I think the dealer was making things up.

jmccord · 10-20-2006, 02:57 PM

I thought the FOB used a non-rechargeable watch battery

Soylent · 10-20-2006, 02:59 PM

That doesn't recharge your key. It uses a standard battery that you need to replace when it dies

Marlin · 10-20-2006, 03:01 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dachshund @ Oct 20 2006, 02:55 PM) [snapback]335700[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm just curious how often people are recharging the smart key by plugging it into the dash? I had one dealer say that you never have to put it in the dash, and another dealer said to recharge about once a week.

To be safe I'm on the once-a-week plan.

Thanks in advance for you opinions.
[/b]

You don't recharge it. You replace the battery once every 2 to 3 years. It's just a regular calculator type battery that you can get at just about any drug store. (The manual has instructions for replacing the battery)

The slot is for people who don't have the SKS, and for starting your car if the fob's battery ever dies. I typically only use it when I have a valet park my car. I put the fob in the slot so they know where to find it.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-20-2006, 03:03 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dachshund @ Oct 20 2006, 11:55 AM) [snapback]335700[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm just curious how often people are recharging the smart key by plugging it into the dash? I had one dealer say that you never have to put it in the dash, and another dealer said to recharge about once a week.

To be safe I'm on the once-a-week plan.

Thanks in advance for you opinions.
[/b]

It doesn't recharge. The slot is there so that you can slot it in if the battery dies. That's something the other SKS-equipped Toyotas/Lexuses don't have. Apparently, there's a LO-BATT warning when the battery in the fob is running low and I think you can start by placing the fob close to the POWER (or Engine Start Stop) button.

Beryl Octet · 10-20-2006, 03:03 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dachshund @ Oct 20 2006, 02:55 PM) [snapback]335700[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm just curious how often people are recharging the smart key by plugging it into the dash? I had one dealer say that you never have to put it in the dash, and another dealer said to recharge about once a week.

To be safe I'm on the once-a-week plan.

Thanks in advance for you opinions.
[/b]

The owner's manual says the plug in the dash is for when the battery dies in the fob, so the car can read the key so that you may drive to the store and get a new battery for the fob. In other words, no "recharge" by putting it in the dash slot.

dachshund · 10-20-2006, 03:05 PM

Interesting... I thought most of the remote-type car keys get recharged when they're in the key slot. My BMW key was this way. I had the car for 6 years and never replaced a battery, and anyway this is what the dealer said.

Pious · 10-20-2006, 03:05 PM

The ignorance some dealerships never ceases to amaze me.

withersea · 10-20-2006, 03:05 PM

It doesn't recharge. Apparently many dealers are misinformed on this issue. My salesperson also told me that I needed to make sure I charged the key occasionally in the slot.

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10-20-2006, 02:55 PM	#1
dachshund Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 54 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm just curious how often people are recharging the smart key by plugging it into the dash? I had one dealer say that you never have to put it in the dash, and another dealer said to recharge about once a week. To be safe I'm on the once-a-week plan. Thanks in advance for you opinions.

10-20-2006, 02:57 PM	#2
Trevor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 316 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	I wasn't aware that the key was rechargeable. I think the dealer was making things up.

10-20-2006, 02:57 PM	#3
jmccord Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA, Earth Posts: 199 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I thought the FOB used a non-rechargeable watch battery

10-20-2006, 02:59 PM	#4
Soylent Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 245 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	That doesn't recharge your key. It uses a standard battery that you need to replace when it dies

10-20-2006, 03:05 PM	#8
dachshund Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 54 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Interesting... I thought most of the remote-type car keys get recharged when they're in the key slot. My BMW key was this way. I had the car for 6 years and never replaced a battery, and anyway this is what the dealer said.

10-20-2006, 03:05 PM	#9
Pious Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 57 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The ignorance some dealerships never ceases to amaze me.

10-20-2006, 03:05 PM	#10
withersea DNF is better than DNS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: TN Posts: 1,145 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	It doesn't recharge. Apparently many dealers are misinformed on this issue. My salesperson also told me that I needed to make sure I charged the key occasionally in the slot.