smart key

I think it may be best if you shopped around your local dealers. I've read that some dealers did it for 45-70$... some even for free.

 

I personally have a key-cutting machine at home, they're pretty easy to find at flea-markets & such, and though I have never tried, I don't see any reason why you couldn't cut prius keys just like any other one. As a matter of fact, from what I can surmise, you should actually be able to cut a regular Toyota blank to open the door of your prius, it's just a shorter version of the original. As for the programming of the fob, I think I've seen a thread on PC about doing just that. Try a search and see what turns up. As for the dealership in question, I smell B.S.

 

How much did you pay for the "blank" and how did this guy get a "blank" fob? Call me old fashion but I wouldn't trust this...

 

The metal key is cut like any other normal key. It's a standard Toyota blank; only the plastic end differs to let it fit into the fob.

Tom

 

The metal key will have to be laser cut only if one does not have another metal key to duplicate from. Make sense? If you got a metal key, any shop can duplicate it for you.
As for the source, I won't go as far as suspecting the seller. After all, some people make a living by buying in batches and selling on eBay.

 

This is called Code Cutting, since the key is cut to a code instead of following a master. Code cutting can be done by laser or with mechanical code cutting equipment.

Tom

 

This procedure can also be performed with standard mechanical key cutting machine and a set of index keys. It is a little more time consuming to do this way, but not everyone needs "keys cut while you wait".

 

We had our 2 spares cut at Ace ... your friendly hardware man. BTW, some of the dealers will program SKS for as little as $70 (in case there's a next time).

 

I've done it with a file and calipers.

Tom