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What is the valet key used for?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Canicus, Apr 28, 2005.

  1. Canicus

    Canicus New Member

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    all! I have a question that I'm sure someone will have an answer for.

    My 05 Prius has the SKS key fob with the little valet-type key inside it. What exactly is the key used for theoretically? I don't see a keyhole to start the car nor so I see a keyhole for the trunk. I can see using the key to unlock the door but besides that...what else is it intended for?

    I thought maybe it was for valet parking but since there is no known-to-me keyhole to start the car, how do we use it?

    Can someone please explain this to me. I should probably read the manual section for this but I figured you guys would know.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 Canicus, Apr 28, 2005
  2. xevious

    xevious New Member

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    You should definitely read the entire manual. There is important information about the operation of your new vehicle in there!

    There's no such thing as a "valet" key for the Prius. SKS-equipped vehicles have exactly one mechanically-keyed lock; in the event that the battery in your fob dies, you'll need to use it.

    Bonus points for answering why a fob with a dead battery can still allow the vehicle to start. (Hint: it's in the manual.) ;)
     
    #2 xevious, Apr 28, 2005
  3. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    hehe.. read the manual

    but.. if you leave the car on.. and the doors lock behind you...

    well.. let's say you have a kid in the car and he decides to lock it.. while you jumped out to get the mail. since the car is on, you can't use the buttons. you have the key instead.

    like xevious said. use it to open the door. if the fob dies, or the battery dies... if the electronics give out in any way, you have a key to get in.
     
    #3 V8Cobrakid, Apr 28, 2005
  4. xevious

    xevious New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(V8Cobrakid\";p=\"85429)</div>
    Do I detect the voice of experience? :)
     
    #4 xevious, Apr 28, 2005
  5. propking

    propking New Member

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    My Prius came with Valet Cards which you give to the valet and it gives them the minimum information on how to start, stop, park and lock the car. I personally wouldn't let a valet park mine anyway. Too many gadgets to cause temptation.
     
    #5 propking, Apr 28, 2005
  6. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    lol.. no.. not experiance. i'm only 21. i won't have kids till after i'm 25. i set that standard for myself a long time ago.
     
    #6 V8Cobrakid, Apr 28, 2005
  7. Cyndrax

    Cyndrax New Member

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    I don't have the manual in front of me, but does it have to do with inserting the fob into the ignition "slot," allowing the car to sense the key and start?

    Brian
     
    #7 Cyndrax, May 2, 2005
  8. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    The metal key goes into the only keyhole on the whole car: on the driver door. This is so if the fob or car (aux) battery dies, you can still get in the car and put the fob in the slot (in this case it authenticates passively), or open the hood to get to the jump terminal.

    If you didn't have the metal key, and the fob battery died, then you couldn't unlock the car door, neither with SKS or wirelessly, as it requires the fob to transmit.

    If the car battery died, the fob could transmit all day long til its battery died, but the car would not be able to 'hear' it to unlock the door, let alone have any power to actually unlock the door even if it could hear the fob.
     
    #8 DanMan32, May 2, 2005
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