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

Emergency spare FOB and hide a key?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by exmetrodriver, Oct 1, 2014.

  1. exmetrodriver

    exmetrodriver Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2014
    124
    16
    0
    Location:
    Puget sound, Wa.
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    So i was thinking about putting a working backup FOB in the car and hiding a door key on the underneath of the car in case I lose my FOB when hours, or days away from home where I have a spare. Has anyone done this? Think about if you lose your FOB when hours away from home. A tow to a Toyota dealer and several hundred dollars later for reprogramming a new FOB. Your thoughts please.
     
  2. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

    Joined:
    May 13, 2012
    2,170
    744
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    what about just sticking the key blade in your wallet? those little hide a key boxes, I'd be afraid I'd hit a pothole and the box would fall off, or pop open and the key would be gone.
     
  3. exmetrodriver

    exmetrodriver Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2014
    124
    16
    0
    Location:
    Puget sound, Wa.
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I was thinking a wing nut/bolt set up for the key like on my truck frame. Those boxes are a joke.
     
  4. Scallywag

    Scallywag Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2013
    107
    22
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I was very confused about this idea until I realized you must not have the Smart Key System. It is interesting, and could work.
     
  5. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

    Joined:
    May 13, 2012
    2,170
    744
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    there is a key blade built into the smart key. its just for unlocking the door when the smart key won't, because of a dead battery or something.
     
  6. Obernelson

    Obernelson Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2014
    13
    8
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I also keep spare FOB battery in glove box. Just in case.


    iPad ?
     
  7. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

    Joined:
    May 13, 2012
    2,170
    744
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    that is a good idea.
     
  8. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2009
    2,207
    897
    0
    Location:
    Torrance, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    For those keeping spare CR2032 batteries in the car, don't forget a spare precision type phillips.

    Maybe just change the remote batteries every 2 or 3 years instead? Your remote also has a small red LED that indices the battery strength not precise but a gauge. When new, the red LED is bright. As it ages, getting weaker, the brightness intensity gets less. Also, you might notice the "reach" of the remote gets less too.

    My home alarm wireless sensors last 3 years, thus the 2-3 year replacement suggestion.
     
  9. 93dawg

    93dawg Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2007
    66
    20
    0
    Location:
    SW WASHINGTON the real Washington (Bought 08/15/14
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I've used the magnetic keyholders for years and have never had one fall off..haha...knocking of wood. I also carry a spare Prius metal door key in my pocket all the time besides the FOB in my coin pocket and my wife has a Prius metal key on her key ring. I took the battery out of my spare Smart Key FOB and hid it inside of the car. The FOB has what I think is a passive RFID in it because with the battery out of it one can insert it in the key slot on the dash and one can then start the car. That way I can get into the car under just about any situation and then stick the batteryless FOB in the key slot on the dash and start the car. I have spare FOB batteries and a screwdriver in the car. I also carry a one of those jumper battery units in the car just in case I leave something on that would run the 12 volt battery down. I feel like I am covered for just about anything that "I"could do wrong that would cause a startup problem. When one is an 82 year olddawg they have to do everything they can to make up for all of their possible shortcomings...haha... I will soon be installing a hidden switch for a fuel cutoff to slow down car thieves (yes they might be able to drive away a ways on the electric). There I have told all of my secrets...haha... Well almost all, but there is one secret I am keeping to myself!
     
    #9 93dawg, Oct 5, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2014
    J-Preezy likes this.
  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Putting a spare fob in the car is OK if your car doesn't have Smart Entry/Smart Start.

    For those who plan to wait for the fob battery to fail, and have a screwdriver and extra battery in the car, I have a better idea:

    Why not replace the battery proactively in the comfort of your home instead of waiting for it to fail? It will not be easy to replace the battery if you don't have a table to work on - those four little screws are easily lost.
     
  11. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,831
    1,824
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    Pat,
    One could put the spare FOB in a shielded case so that it won't trigger "Smart Entry/Smart Start".

    I also have a spare mechanical key in my wallet.

    JeffD
     
    #11 jdenenberg, Oct 5, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2014
  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Don't need a spare fob battery. The fob will work communicate just fine without its internal battery if you plug it into the fob hole below the steering wheel that all Prius's have SKS key or not for this very reason.
    Its an RFID remote.

    If the dead fob is left in the car and somehow the doors got locked all you need is the spare mechanical key to get in the car and then plug the RFID Fob in and she'll start right up.

    I keep a spare mechanical key in the key magnetic box under the car. Its a very strong magnet with very Little weight and never lost one in 30 years.
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    ha-ha, knock of wood!(y)
     
  14. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2013
    522
    306
    0
    Location:
    Fresno, California
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I keep the spare FOB in my wife's purse. That way if I'm busy beating down an assailant or she gets to the car before I do it lights up and unlocks for her. Oh, and she doesn't keep asking me, Honey,where is the key? Mine is in my pocket or the laundry, which it doesn't seem to mind.


    iPhone ?
     
  15. 93dawg

    93dawg Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2007
    66
    20
    0
    Location:
    SW WASHINGTON the real Washington (Bought 08/15/14
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Patrick what do you mean when you said the above?
     
  16. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,831
    1,824
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    I'm not Patrick but the "Smart key" system is that the FOB uses a wireless connection to automatically unlock doors as you approach it and lets you start it without inserting the fob into the slot in the dash. Leaving a spare fob in the car without putting it into a shielded container will fool your Prius into draining your 12v battery. This is not a problem if you don't have the "Smart Key" system or have it disabled by the button switch under the steering wheel.

    JeffD
     
  17. Scallywag

    Scallywag Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2013
    107
    22
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Many mentions of mechanical key spares - Does the Prius mechanical key have a chip in it?
     
  18. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,831
    1,824
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    Nope. But you can't start the Prius without the FOB. The mechanical key is just to unlock the door.

    JeffD
     
  19. 93dawg

    93dawg Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2007
    66
    20
    0
    Location:
    SW WASHINGTON the real Washington (Bought 08/15/14
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thank you Jeff for the info.

    Jeff I have a "Smart Key" and I have removed the battery from it and hid it in the inside of the car. And it will allow one to start the car without putting a battery back in it just by inserting it in the key slot in the dash. I think the "Smart Key" has a passive RFID in it that "something" near to the Key slot talks to that allows it to start the car. It works great and it allows me to hide my Smart key inside of the car without causing any problems that I know about. Another PriusChat member told me about the RFID function and I think maaybe this is something that is not generally known by most PriusChat members. What think you?
     
    #19 93dawg, Oct 7, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2014
  20. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,831
    1,824
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    The RFID-like functionality is a very short range capability that allows the FOB to announce its presence in the dashboard slot without the battery. Your removing the battery works well, but I prefer leaving the battery in place but stored the FOB in a shielded container so that neither the FOB nor the Prius can see one another. That way the FOB is fully functional when needed (the battery is required to lock/unlock the doors)

    JeffD