What is the little key do.....

Artofprius · 04-14-2008, 04:28 PM

Was wondering what happens if your prius remote runs out of battery does the little key only open the door or it actually starts the car from somewhere. thx guys

**efusco** · 04-14-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artofprius

Was wondering what happens if your prius remote runs out of battery does the little key only open the door or it actually starts the car from somewhere. thx guys

the mechanical key only opens the driver's door. You still use the fob in the slot to start the car...that's a passive process for the fob and doesn't require a working battery.

Artofprius · 04-14-2008, 04:33 PM

Thank you very much

sfl109415 · 04-15-2008, 06:49 PM

Thought I would hijack this thread since the OP got his answer.

About that little key. We bought our Prius about a month ago. The dealer ordered a second key for us. It arrived yesterday in the mail. I went to the local dealer and paid 37 bucks to have it programmed however the little mechanical key was a blank and was not cut. The dealer told me the key should have been cut at the factory and now could be cut by no one.

Can anyone confirm this one way or the other. Doesn't sound right to me.

Thanks
SL

Rangerdavid · 04-15-2008, 07:58 PM

can't confirm or deny for you, but i dont see why someone at your local home improvement store couldn't cut it for you, especially since you have the blank.

sfl109415 · 04-15-2008, 08:19 PM

Yeah I was just thinking the same thing, I will try that tonight and report back.

Thanks
SL

qbee42 · 04-15-2008, 08:22 PM

The mechanical key can be cut by anyone with good key cutting equipment. I prefer a lock shop or locksmith, since they have more experience.

Tom

RobH · 04-15-2008, 08:25 PM

A new Prius normally comes with 2 keyfobs with the mechanical keys already cut for that car.

Extra keyfobs available from the parts department come with uncut keys. The car has to be programmed for the new keyfob, and the mechanical key cut. $37 for programming is less than many people have paid, so that's not a ripoff. But not cutting the mechanical key is rather poor service.

A good reason to have the dealer cut the mechanical key is that they have the proper equipment to do it. I took one to my local hardware store, and the machine couldn't hold the little key properly. They botched the job, and I had to get another blank ($7) from a dealer.

The real reason to buy a cut key from a dealer is that they have a supply of blanks to waste until they make one that works...

The local hardware store is a good place to get $2 copies on ordinary Toyota key blanks. I carry one on my keychain, as it's much more convenient than taking out the keyfob one.

MyBlueC5 · 04-15-2008, 08:30 PM

You should be able to just go to a Lowe's or Home Depot or something and get it cut.

sfl109415 · 04-16-2008, 11:08 PM

Thanks guys, I went to Home Depot tonight. The guy cut the key in about 5 seconds and said no charge since I had the blank. Went out to the parking lot and it worked perfectly. Thought I would post so others might know.

Thanks again
SL

04-14-2008, 04:28 PM	#1
Artofprius Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 2 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	What is the little key do..... Was wondering what happens if your prius remote runs out of battery does the little key only open the door or it actually starts the car from somewhere. thx guys

04-14-2008, 04:33 PM	#3
Artofprius Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 2 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: What is the little key do..... Thank you very much

04-15-2008, 06:49 PM	#4
sfl109415 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TN Posts: 15 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: What is the little key do..... Thought I would hijack this thread since the OP got his answer. About that little key. We bought our Prius about a month ago. The dealer ordered a second key for us. It arrived yesterday in the mail. I went to the local dealer and paid 37 bucks to have it programmed however the little mechanical key was a blank and was not cut. The dealer told me the key should have been cut at the factory and now could be cut by no one. Can anyone confirm this one way or the other. Doesn't sound right to me. Thanks SL

04-15-2008, 07:58 PM	#5
Rangerdavid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boone, North Carolina Posts: 1,024 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	Re: What is the little key do..... can't confirm or deny for you, but i dont see why someone at your local home improvement store couldn't cut it for you, especially since you have the blank.

04-15-2008, 08:19 PM	#6
sfl109415 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TN Posts: 15 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: What is the little key do..... Yeah I was just thinking the same thing, I will try that tonight and report back. Thanks SL

04-15-2008, 08:22 PM	#7
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 4,881 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Re: What is the little key do..... The mechanical key can be cut by anyone with good key cutting equipment. I prefer a lock shop or locksmith, since they have more experience. Tom

04-15-2008, 08:25 PM	#8
RobH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sunnyvale, California Posts: 249 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: What is the little key do..... A new Prius normally comes with 2 keyfobs with the mechanical keys already cut for that car. Extra keyfobs available from the parts department come with uncut keys. The car has to be programmed for the new keyfob, and the mechanical key cut. $37 for programming is less than many people have paid, so that's not a ripoff. But not cutting the mechanical key is rather poor service. A good reason to have the dealer cut the mechanical key is that they have the proper equipment to do it. I took one to my local hardware store, and the machine couldn't hold the little key properly. They botched the job, and I had to get another blank ($7) from a dealer. The real reason to buy a cut key from a dealer is that they have a supply of blanks to waste until they make one that works... The local hardware store is a good place to get $2 copies on ordinary Toyota key blanks. I carry one on my keychain, as it's much more convenient than taking out the keyfob one.

04-15-2008, 08:30 PM	#9
MyBlueC5 The Corvette Guy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 5 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: What is the little key do..... You should be able to just go to a Lowe's or Home Depot or something and get it cut.

04-16-2008, 11:08 PM	#10
sfl109415 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TN Posts: 15 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: What is the little key do..... Thanks guys, I went to Home Depot tonight. The guy cut the key in about 5 seconds and said no charge since I had the blank. Went out to the parking lot and it worked perfectly. Thought I would post so others might know. Thanks again SL