What do I need to know about buying a new Fob Smart Key Keyless Entry Remote?

Do you have SKS? If so make sure you get a SKS FOB. I have read several threads about buying off eBay. Lots of problems. Try a search here and see what others have done. If you go to the dealer, it's going to be a couple of hundred at least. And it needs to be mated to your car!!!

 

If you want to use all of the SKS functions, you have no choice but to buy it from the dealer and have them program the car to accept the new fob.

 

The black label keys (non-sks) can be purchased on Ebay and programmed yourself to make the buttons work. You can insert the key in the key slot and then start the car. The silver (sks) keys should be purchased from the dealer.

Check around because prices may vary from dealer to dealer. Since you have a key that works this should be about a 30 minute process to program once started. It might cost you 200-300 dollars though.

 

Correct.

 

If you buy an eBay fob (silver or black logo) it will only be able to be used in the slot to start the car. The remote lock and unlock buttons will not work.

 

You will find some instruction about making Keyless work as well. And some posters have been able to program those after multiple attempts.

For me I tried a lot to get buttons work with no luck. But then I have a 40$ working key combination ( Ebay black FOB + Home depot for mechanical key for a SKS car) as against 300$ fully functional one from dealer.

There are some posts which suggest getting a mechanical key cut from dealer costs only about 10$. I will try it during my next visit. Then I will have a key which fits inside FOB.

 

Here is the breakdown:

1) Ebay used SKS key: You will only be able to start the car with the fob in the dash. No other features can be reprogrammed programed.

2) New OEM key dealer can program it to be fully functional.

Don't buy the key from your local dealer. Go off the internet to some place like Parts.com. I have seen new OEM SKS keys from Parts.com for ~$125. Call around for programming pricing. I called all my local dealers and got prices from $100 to $35 for programing a Prius SKS key and cutting the emergency blank.

 

I just went through this process and verified that jelloslug is correct. An EBAY sks can only be reprogramed to operate the ignition; no smart function and no fob function. I also bought a "new" smartkey on ebay and apparently it had already been programed and could not be reprogramed by my dealer. To find this out cost me $90 programing fee.

Dealers in my area will give 10% off for the smartkey = $175 and the programing is anywhere from $40 to $170 depending on the dealer! King Toyota in Cincinnati did it for $40 and 10% off for the key. This is a nice dealer too.