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How many remote access keys does a Prius come with?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by odysseus, Dec 13, 2009.

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  1. odysseus

    odysseus Junior Member

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    How many "keys" does a Prius with remote access keying come with? How much does a new remote access key cost? I understand that the key is supposed to come with a key number plate, and that the number on the plate is required to make duplicates of the key. If I'm buying a used Prius, should the dealer be able to give me the key number plate?
     
    #1 odysseus, Dec 13, 2009
  2. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    It's supposed to come with two key fobs.
     
    #2 cwerdna, Dec 13, 2009
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The key number refers only to the mechanical key. Fobs cannot be duplicated.

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, Dec 13, 2009
  4. odysseus

    odysseus Junior Member

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    Maybe not, but can't the car be programmed to work with another fob?

    Or put another way: if the used Prius comes with only 1 fob, I could never get another? What happens if you lose your fob?
     
    #4 odysseus, Dec 14, 2009
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Yes, you can add additional fobs to the Prius. Your lost fob can be removed so that it will no longer be recognized.

    You need to go to the dealer to program in a new SKS fob, and it must be a *new* fob. You cannot add a used SKS fob, so be careful with EBay.

    Dumb fobs can be added by the owner, and used SKS fobs can be added if used as a dumb fob.

    I only mentioned the key code comment to avoid any confusion. Some new owners think the key code will allow someone to program a new fob to work with their Prius, which is not correct.

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Dec 14, 2009
  6. odysseus

    odysseus Junior Member

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    What is a "dumb" fob? Is that a different level of privileges?
     
    #6 odysseus, Dec 14, 2009
  7. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    A 'dumb' fob means that it can be used to start the car by inserting it into the slot. But no SKS functions will work and the lock and unlock buttons will not work.
     
    #7 firepa63, Dec 14, 2009
  8. odysseus

    odysseus Junior Member

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    Thanks. How much does a "smart" fob cost?
     
    #8 odysseus, Dec 14, 2009
  9. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    Call several dealers in your area to get a quote on the fob and programming the car to accept the fob. The prices will probably vary, but you'll be in the area of a couple of hundred bucks.
     
    #9 firepa63, Dec 14, 2009
  10. odysseus

    odysseus Junior Member

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    That's an obscene amount of money for what must be a relatively simple procedure :(
     
    #10 odysseus, Dec 14, 2009
  11. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The cost isn't for the procedure (well, a small amount is), it's for the piece of hardware. SKS fobs are expensive little beasts. Try not to lose them.

    Tom
     
    #11 qbee42, Dec 14, 2009
  12. odysseus

    odysseus Junior Member

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    The problem is that used cars often only come with one. So let's say that I want to purchase a used Prius with only one SKS fob. I want my wife to have access to the car as well but not spend hundreds. Should I duplicate the mechanical key, and buy a fob on eBay to be used as a dumb fob?
     
    #12 odysseus, Dec 15, 2009
  13. derkraut

    derkraut Member

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    I agree with you; but it is what it is. FYI, this applies to fobs for most all new cars these days, not just the Prius.
     
    #13 derkraut, Dec 15, 2009
  14. AndyZaa

    AndyZaa Junior Member

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    OMG, I just bought a used 2006 Prius yesterday that came with one Smart Key fob. I just got off the phone with my local Toyota dealer and he gave me a price of $475-$500 for ONE spare. I don't think I would have bought a Prius if I knew a spare key was $500! Is there any alternative for getting a spare Smart Key (not a dumb fob off eBay)? Do different dealers have significantly different pricing?

    I'm in shock.

    Thanks.

    Andy
     
    #14 AndyZaa, Dec 16, 2009
  15. Rhino

    Rhino New Member

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    Say you are willing to shell out the money for a new smart fob. Does the new smart fob come with a new mechanical key just like the original?
     
    #15 Rhino, Dec 16, 2009
  16. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Yes. Well, after the dealer cuts it it should be just like the original.
     
    #16 richard schumacher, Dec 16, 2009
  17. tableround

    tableround New Member

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    I called a Toyota Dealer in Marion, Ohio ($120), Delaware, Ohio ($118 for new fob), Akron, Ohio ($127), Columbus, Ohio ($114), and Cincinnati, Ohio ($110). This was just for the key, not programming. All of these dealers wanted $50 for programming. (I'm wondering why the further south in Ohio I called the cheaper the fob, and the further north I called the more it cost?
     
    #17 tableround, Dec 16, 2009
  18. AndyZaa

    AndyZaa Junior Member

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    Tableround,

    Was this definitely for a Smart Key, not a "dumb" fob? I'm going to call some other dealers tomorrow and see what I get for prices around NJ.
     
    #18 AndyZaa, Dec 17, 2009
  19. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    It's part of the cost of ownership. This was a preexisting condition when you bought the car. If you buy a used car with bald tires, you know you will have to pay for new tires. If you buy one with only one key fob, it's reasonable to expect to pay for another.

    I also think they are too expensive, but that's what the market will bear. Just buy a new fob and be done with it.

    Tom
     
    #19 qbee42, Dec 17, 2009
  20. AndyZaa

    AndyZaa Junior Member

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    So, thanks to the input from here, I've been calling around to get more detail on costs to get a spare SKS for my 2006. Just to be clear, this is a SKS SmartKey not a "dumb" fob.

    The dealer who originally told me to expect a $500 bill breaks the cost down:
    SKS remote fob: $219
    Programming cost: $95
    Metal key to fit in the fob: $109

    From the posts here, I thought the metal key would be about $8. The service person told me it was a laser cut key with a chip in it. I don't think this is correct, right? It's just a metal key to open the door and has no electronics.

    I mostly understand the difference between laser cut and ground cut keys. It sounds to me like a lot of folks here have purchased blanks for the metal key on their fob on eBay and had them cut conventionally (ground cut?) by a locksmith using the original key as a template. Since it's an emergency key anyway and will get very little use, I thought this would be fine. What are your experiences?

    I also hope to get a regular flat key cut for my wallet as I always have done - that one has saved me more than once!

    I'll report back if I find any significant differences in the dealer prices.

    Thanks for all the great tips!
     
    #20 AndyZaa, Dec 28, 2009
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