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Newbie: Duplicate key question

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by prius_nj, Mar 22, 2011.

  1. prius_nj

    prius_nj New Member

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    Hi All,
    Just joined this forum, and I have bought a certified Toyota 2006 prius.
    I am very excited to drive this car. I have received only one key with this car. I am worried about loosing it, so I want to make a duplicate key. But this key does not look to be very simple to make a duplicate of it.
    I have searched in forums, to see that it needs some kind of programming. Can anyone tell is it easy to do by myself? Or is there a less expensive way of doing it other than approaching Toyota?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! i think the dealer or high end qualified locksmith is the only way. all the best! what did the dealer say about only providing one keyfob?
     
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  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    What type of key? Do you have the Smart Key System (SKS)? Or perhaps you mean the mechanical key?

    Tom
     
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  4. prius_nj

    prius_nj New Member

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    Thank You...It is a smart key. Actually the mechanical key is kept in the smart key. I don't need the mechanical key to drive the car, as long as I keep the key inside the car.

    I actually didn't buy from a dealer, but from an individual. I might ask the dealer when I take it for servicing.
     
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    So which one do you want to duplicate? Is it the Smart Key or the mechanical key, or perhaps both?

    Tom
     
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  6. prius_nj

    prius_nj New Member

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    I guess both. I am not sure if I just duplicate the mechanical key, it might help me to open the door. But will it be possible to start the car with that? I am completely new to this, the only other car which I used was 2002 Honda City manual transmission, with a normal ignition key.

    Thank you for your reply, this site is very useful
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the mechanical key is to get in the car if the fob battery goes dead. then you insert the fob in the dashboard recepticle to start the car. you should duplicate both.
     
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  8. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    This isn't the first time we've heard of used Prius buyers only receiving one key. :( Maybe that ought to be a TCUV program requirement: two working keys are provided and both of them are working smart keys, if the car is SKS equipped.
     
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  9. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    Aloha and Welcome!

    You said that you had purchased a certified preowned auto, but you bought it from a private party, who certified it? What did the previous owner say about only having one key? I would hate for them to still have a key to your car. If you do get another SKS fob and have it programed, I would ask if there is a way to reprogram the car so the missing fob could not be used with it any longer.
     
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  10. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    Search the forums, you should be able to find information about how to program a new key, and most key makers should be able to cut a blank key to match.

    If you have the SKS system, you should have a silver Toyota logo on the fob. The non-SKS is a black logo. Many people claim to be able to make a duplicate black logo fob, while there is some question about silver logo fobs. It is possible, I think, to program a black logo to work in a car with SKS, but it will only work in the key slot, not in your pocket. You might be able to find a fob on eBay.


    The programing of new keys is akin to video game cheat codes, but the steps are laid out very carefully in a thread in this forum. Best of luck.
     
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  11. prius_nj

    prius_nj New Member

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    I verified that I have SKS system, because it has a silver logo on the Fob. I ordered one metal key from ebay and I will get it cut once I get it.
    I am still searching for the forum to find out exact Fob what I need to buy and the proven instructions for a 2006 prius key. Thank you for answering.