1 Key - 3 Drivers, How can we share

Usually a prius comes with two fobs, which you would have to add one too, to have three anyway, a key will get you in but you need a fob to start, so others will show the way to practical purchases of more fobs at a better price(ebay), as you're in a high density area, you won't like my suggestion, leave the fob in the vehicle, nobody steals virii.
Welcome

 

Leave the key/fob/remote on a shelf or hook in the house. Whoever is taking the Prius, takes the fob. They put it back when they return home so the next person can use it.

If you really want each driver to have their own, you'll need to purchase them. You can get replacements somewhere like EBay for a bit cheaper than the dealership.

Note, there is also a metal key in the remote that can be used to unlock the driver's door if the battery is dead, the SKS is turned off, or the SKS is malfunctioning. If you purchase additional remotes, you may want to have the key cut to match your vehicle as well.

 

One fob is enough. Have a place for the key when not being used. Return the key on return , or have one person responsible for the key and car. Hal

 

Before buying any spare fobs from Ebay, be sure to search PruisChat for the many discussions about the serious snags raised by used fobs. If I remember correctly, there are multiple fob types being sold, reprogramming is still expensive, used fobs are locked out of regular reprogramming after a certain number of clicks, and the special software and subscription needed to get around this lockout so expensive that most shops don't subscribe. For some folks, used fobs haven't saved any money.

 

The dirt cheap method is to get 3 mechanical keys made at your local hardware store. About $2 each for ordinary style keys. If you have a silver logo keyfob (smart key), disable it with the switch at the bottom of the dash. Then leave the keyfob in the car all the time. Each driver uses their own mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors. To start the car, insert the keyfob into the dash slot.

The next escalation is to purchase 2 used keys off eBay. Program them for use in the slot yourself. You can also purchase blank mini-keys that fit in the keyfobs for about $7 each at the dealer or eBay. Take the mini-keys to a real locksmith to be cut (about $10 each).

To get 2 additional full function keys, you can either pay the dealer full fare or find a locksmith with the proper software. The extra charge for programming used keys is about $100 per key, if you can find anybody who can actually do it.

 

For more than you ever wanted to know about adding keyfobs, see http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...lly-how-program-non-sks-key-fob-detailed.html

The short story is that you can get a used keyfob to work in the dash by yourself. Getting full function is a much longer story.

If you choose to leave the keyfob in the car all the time, it would probably work out best if you remove the battery from it. That way you can avoid worrying about the position of the disable switch on the dash.

As for the security of leaving the keyfob inside the car, it isn't any different than most cars up to about 1995. Since then they've added transponders to keys, which is an electronic double lock on being able to start the car. The mechanical key controls access to the interior of the car. The Prius doesn't even use a mechanical key to unlock the ignition, but it does have the transponder for use in the dash.

 

does anyone know how those car sharing services allow you to lock the key in the car when you are done with it and than it unlocks the car for the next driver renting the car??

I'm sure its not too difficult for a non SKS car but I thought you can rent Prius by the hour by zipcar or whomever so I am curious how they can do it with a SKS equipped vehicle.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that its just cheaper for the newbie to buy 2 new keys, even with programming.

 

IF you have SKS, you will not be able to lock the fob inside UNLESS you turn of SKS with the button under the steering wheel or somehow shield the fob from communicating with the vehicle or you remove the battery from the fob (it will still work in the dash with the battery removed).

 

you can lock it inside.. if you put the fob into a little metal tin or aluminum (i think)... either way, you need to isolate it so that the car can not pick up its signal or else anyone can take it.

if you really wanted to, you might possibly be able to pull out the fob battery...or just disable smart key sytem as Danny Hamilton said... this way you can mechanically lock the key in the car but there will be no alarm system.