Smart System Key Silver Logo

I am going through the same problem on my 2006 Prius. I purchased a Smart Key on eBay though Midwest Keyless and although the key was listed as being compatible for 2004-2009 Prius but the dealer who tried to program the key discovered that the key is actually only programmable for a 2007-2009 model Prius. I have requested a refund and replacement key and I am now waiting to hear back from the company. Such a pain

 

You cannot program the Prius to recognize a used Smart Key fob to function as a Smart Key. DIY programming can be done to use the fob in the slot. Instructions can be found here on PC.

 

Can NON SKS smart key DIY programmed to be used to open doors using unlock button and be used to start the car by inserting it in slot in SKS equipped Car?

Would that require any model year compatibility? Has anyone done that?

After reading quite a few posts I am still confused.

Thanks.

 

A non SKS can be used to start the car using the slot, but I don't believe it can be used as a remote to lock and unlock the doors (not sure though about the doors).

 

This is a new OEM key and you are correct the dealer was able to program the key to start the car in the slot and they cut the physical key so you can open the drivers side door, but the unlock/lock/panic buttons on the remote do not work and the key does not function as a smart key even though it is a (silver logoed) Smart Key. The dealer told me that the issue is that the SKS is different for 2004-2006 and 2007-2009 models. Still no response from Keyless Wireless, I probably should have just bought the new key from the stealership for $220 and saved myself the headache.

 

Interesting theory, but an awful lot of people have experience to the contrary. Don't believe it.

 

Also note that the Prius is programmed to recognize the newly added fobs. The fobs are not programmed to recognize the Prius.

 

I bought a used smart key ($50)(silver logo) for another 05 that I had and paid the the dealer $45 to telll me that he could not program a used key. I wouldn't trust a used smart key.

 

FYI:from what I've read elsewhere here on the forums, you also can only program the Prius for up to 5 keys.

I'm not certain what happens after that.....maybe the dithium crystals in the warp drive burn out...

 

I understand that the last five fobs are retained and the oldest beyond five are dropped off the list.

 

Hello Patrick:

If that's the case, then that is a good thing. I had assumed that maybe you just could never add any additional SKS fobs past 5. That would be a problem, say, if someone kept losing fobs, and suddenly found that they could not program any new ones into the system. Or if someone bought a used Prius that had already had multiple keys programmed, but the buyer was only presented with a siingle fob, and then tried to add some new ones.

If you get a clear confirmation of your understanding on this issue, it would be a good piece of Prius trivia to sticky, if it has not already been.

Best wishes,

 

It is true that u can only program 5 fobs to the entry system. However, once you get past 5, it only gets more expensive to have more programed. One has to add to the entry system or replace the entry system...the car is not rendered useless. I am dealing with this now and recently purchased a SKS from Original Keyless.com, unfortunately the unlock button is frozen and so I can't use it. The dealer didn't program it so I didn't have to pay the $230. for programing. SKS can be programed no problem, the tech who helped me, used to do that as his job, said that with SKS, you some times have to do it twice to get it to work, but it will work. The year and part number are important- my car is an 06 put it can take an 05 SKS but not an 07 SKS, why I don't know.

 

I have a similar situation, only 1 smartkey. My local auto parts store cuts keys, and they cut me a copy of the key (though it won't fit in the FOB, it is the regular key shape) for $5. The smart key operation is kind of gimiky to me, and I don't see a need for it. I purchased an after market keyless entry system for $40, and will be installing it shortly. The smartkey will stay in the car, and the remote will open/close the doors and disable the start function unless the remote is used to open the car. (There is an emergency bypass method). I will document the installation and post it for referecne.

 

To each his own. I find the Smart Key System one of the best features of the car. I wish I could use it for all of my locks: car, boat, house...

Tom

 

It is a nice gimick. I just don't like being at the mercy of the dealer for $300 everytime I loose a remote. My solution costs $50, savings $250.
It would have been easy for Toyota to put a USB port on the system, and provide software to program the stuff yourself, then I would love to keep it. A lot of people on this site have griped about the cost of this. For those that don't want to spend the $, this may be a reasonable alternative, particularly for the older Prii out there.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking just after I got my Prius recently!

"Yeah, I don't have to get my keys out to use my car... but I still have to get them out to lock/unlock my apartment! "