1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

smart key system?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Stratospaly, Jul 8, 2011.

  1. Stratospaly

    Stratospaly New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    61
    13
    0
    Location:
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Background: I own a 2008 Prius with the aux jack and backup camera. I LOVE the car, and it has made me want another Prius. My 2001 Saab needs 2k in repairs, so I decided to trade it in on one. I am getting a 2008 Prius with 80k miles (my current Prius only has 40k), it is one package lower (no backup cam or aux jack). It also has an older looking screen software, which is odd to me. The car is at the lot as of this post, I am to pay for it and pick it up this afternoon.

    My real question is that you must plug the key into the dash to drive it. I have not picked up the car yet from the purchase, but they told me the key button is not under the dash. Is it possible that this car does not have the Smart Key option? The key I have is the "black T" and I am not sure if the key the dealership has is a silver or not. Does anyone know if I can make the SKS system work on this, or is there just not one?
     
    #1 Stratospaly, Jul 8, 2011
  2. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    873
    194
    0
    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I have an 09 but believe that the equipment on the various packages is the same - I believe that you needed a package 2 (or is it ii) to get the smart key as well as the backup camera (no clue on aux jack) so it sounds like the car you are looking at is a 1. It is my understanding that it is not something that is feasible to add.
     
    #2 stevemcelroy, Jul 8, 2011
  3. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    No, it is not economical to add smart key to a non-SKS car. You'd need all new keys, immobilizer ecu, smart ecu, antennas, door sensors, reprogram engine and HV ecu, etc. etc. It is possible in the sense that anything is possible, but it might as well be impossible for the time and money that it would cost.
     
    #3 seilerts, Jul 8, 2011
  4. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2006
    2,369
    979
    70
    Location:
    Sunnyvale, California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    It's not practical to convert a non-SKS car to SKS. But note that the transponder part of the two systems is the same. What this means is that you can program each car to accept the remote from the other car for use plugged into the dash. Then get an ordinary ($2) copy of the mechanical key that the non-SKS car uses. Put it on a keyring with the SKS remote.

    You'll have a single remote (+key) that works on both cars. On the non-SKS car use the mechanical key to lock/unlock it, and plug the remote into the dash for the ignition. On the SKS-car, just continue to carry the remote in your pocket.
     
    #4 RobH, Jul 8, 2011
  5. Stratospaly

    Stratospaly New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    61
    13
    0
    Location:
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    This is a very interesting option. If the lock/unlock on the fob worked on one car, and the RFID worked on the other this would be ideal, but the wife doesn't like the idea of having to pull out any keys to get into the car as it is.
     
    #5 Stratospaly, Jul 8, 2011
  6. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    That pretty much settles who gets the car with SKS ;)
     
    #6 seilerts, Jul 9, 2011
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,910
    49,490
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i believe only fleet cars were available with package one. there is a thread on adding 3 door sks to single door. it was complicated but successful. but i don't think i've seen one on adding it to non sks.
     
    #7 bisco, Jul 9, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)