Is there a way to program 2 Prius to use the same key?

mlkco · 04-01-2007, 08:47 AM

I am about to buy my second Prius. We will be a two Prius family and I can't conceive of carrying two Prius keys and my Highlander key along with all my other keys.
I know the keys can be programed can the cars?
Both are the key less version.
I thank you in advance for your response.
Mike

statultra · 04-01-2007, 10:01 AM

one time i programmed two 2001 prius's with the same keyless entry remote, it wwas annoying when i unlocked one it unlocked the other, but im not sure about keys, if the keys have a unique identifier that authenticiates wtih the key ECU then i think it would be possible, if not then its well impossible

paulccullen · 04-01-2007, 11:36 AM

I've wondered about this also. We have two Prii (2005 and 2006). It would be great to carry just one key fob for both. I imagine the vehicle-side SKS unit (wherever it is) on one of the vehicles would have be reprogrammed or replaced to match the other. It sounds expensive.

Anyone know if this is possible? Galaxee?

galaxee · 04-01-2007, 12:17 PM

i'm sorry guys, but this is an an ancient question with pretty much no resolution in sight. the long standing argument is that in theory it may be possible but just TRY to make it work in practice

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=795&hl=
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=11680&hl=
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=11755&hl=
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=13748&hl=
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=19819&hl=
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=30545&hl=

paulccullen · 04-01-2007, 12:26 PM

Thanks Galaxee, I was afraid that was the answer. I guess I'll have to live with two fobs...

RobH · 04-03-2007, 04:56 AM

I read every one of the referenced threads, and it looks to me like you could use a single keyfob on multiple cars. The car is coded to the keyfob. The keyfob has no idea how many cars recognize it. The mechanical keys are different between cars, but you could get an ordinary $2 copy of the mechanical key. Actually, you could get a mechanical key cut for one car on one edge, and another car on the other edge.

The primary problem would be when both cars are within range of the same keyfob. If you press the unlock button on the keyfob, do you really want both cars to unlock? On the other hand, I've never used the keyfob buttons except to see what happens. I normally just leave the keyfob in my pocket. The keyfob allows me to pull on the door handle, which then unlocks that door. If you don't tug on the handle, the door doesn't unlock.

The issue of needing to keep a key within 255 iterations of its last known use is almost irrelevant. Just use the key in the alternate car at least once every 254 times that you use the main car. Even if you don't meet this requirement, the worst is that you use the mechanical key to get into the car, and insert the keyfob into the keyslot to resynchronize. I don't know if the keyslot transponder has its own rotating code, but you'll probably never even use it.

I suggest getting one keyfob added to the alternate car's list of acceptable keys. Then get a $2 copy of the alternate mechanical key. See what happens. My guess is that it just works. Nobody here has said that they tried it and it didn't work. The dealer cost to add a key is less than an hour's labor. If it all works, you probably don't need 4 keyfobs, so you could sell the extras on eBay for $120 apiece.

And tell us what happens.

galaxee · 04-03-2007, 09:55 AM

again, the problem is putting this idea into practice. people have purchased used fobs from ebay and been turned away just for that (repair manual: "1. Make sure that the key to be registered has a silver Toyota logo and has never been registered to another vehicle.")

we don't have a second experimental car or sufficient time to mess around or we'd tinker with it if only to settle the issue once and for all.

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04-01-2007, 08:47 AM	#1
mlkco Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Keene,New Hampshire Posts: 303 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I am about to buy my second Prius. We will be a two Prius family and I can't conceive of carrying two Prius keys and my Highlander key along with all my other keys. I know the keys can be programed can the cars? Both are the key less version. I thank you in advance for your response. Mike

04-01-2007, 10:01 AM	#2
statultra uber-Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: cape coral, FL Posts: 574 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	one time i programmed two 2001 prius's with the same keyless entry remote, it wwas annoying when i unlocked one it unlocked the other, but im not sure about keys, if the keys have a unique identifier that authenticiates wtih the key ECU then i think it would be possible, if not then its well impossible

04-01-2007, 11:36 AM	#3
paulccullen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 259 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've wondered about this also. We have two Prii (2005 and 2006). It would be great to carry just one key fob for both. I imagine the vehicle-side SKS unit (wherever it is) on one of the vehicles would have be reprogrammed or replaced to match the other. It sounds expensive. Anyone know if this is possible? Galaxee?

04-01-2007, 12:17 PM	#4
galaxee running WOT until out of fuel Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 9,015 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 20	i'm sorry guys, but this is an an ancient question with pretty much no resolution in sight. the long standing argument is that in theory it may be possible but just TRY to make it work in practice http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=795&hl= http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=11680&hl= http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=11755&hl= http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=13748&hl= http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=19819&hl= http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=30545&hl=

04-01-2007, 12:26 PM	#5
paulccullen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 259 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks Galaxee, I was afraid that was the answer. I guess I'll have to live with two fobs...

04-03-2007, 04:56 AM	#6
RobH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sunnyvale, California Posts: 293 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I read every one of the referenced threads, and it looks to me like you could use a single keyfob on multiple cars. The car is coded to the keyfob. The keyfob has no idea how many cars recognize it. The mechanical keys are different between cars, but you could get an ordinary $2 copy of the mechanical key. Actually, you could get a mechanical key cut for one car on one edge, and another car on the other edge. The primary problem would be when both cars are within range of the same keyfob. If you press the unlock button on the keyfob, do you really want both cars to unlock? On the other hand, I've never used the keyfob buttons except to see what happens. I normally just leave the keyfob in my pocket. The keyfob allows me to pull on the door handle, which then unlocks that door. If you don't tug on the handle, the door doesn't unlock. The issue of needing to keep a key within 255 iterations of its last known use is almost irrelevant. Just use the key in the alternate car at least once every 254 times that you use the main car. Even if you don't meet this requirement, the worst is that you use the mechanical key to get into the car, and insert the keyfob into the keyslot to resynchronize. I don't know if the keyslot transponder has its own rotating code, but you'll probably never even use it. I suggest getting one keyfob added to the alternate car's list of acceptable keys. Then get a $2 copy of the alternate mechanical key. See what happens. My guess is that it just works. Nobody here has said that they tried it and it didn't work. The dealer cost to add a key is less than an hour's labor. If it all works, you probably don't need 4 keyfobs, so you could sell the extras on eBay for $120 apiece. And tell us what happens.

04-03-2007, 09:55 AM	#7
galaxee running WOT until out of fuel Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 9,015 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 20	again, the problem is putting this idea into practice. people have purchased used fobs from ebay and been turned away just for that (repair manual: "1. Make sure that the key to be registered has a silver Toyota logo and has never been registered to another vehicle.") we don't have a second experimental car or sufficient time to mess around or we'd tinker with it if only to settle the issue once and for all.