Lost My remote Key today: Dealer wants $500 to replace it!

Today we went river rafting and the remote key to my 2017 Prime Advanced was in a waterproof baggie deep down in my pocket. Somewhere along the way, I lost it. I always hide a spare key, so we were not stranded... and then we called Modesto Toyota to see about obtaining a replacement.

I was shocked at how expensive this little mistake of mine will cost me! They charge $265 for the remote - unprogrammed - and then require a service appointment with the car to program the remote. Estimated cost for the service to program the remote.... $217.!

With taxes, the total cost will be about $500. Moral of the story - treat that key as carefully as you would $500 cash - and more so, since you'll kill a half-day waiting for the service!

 

Well, I am pleased to report that I found the key in the picnic basket! I had taken the baggie out to get a Band-aid I had put in the bag, along with the remote key, and mindlessly tossed them into the basket.

But I think I better get another remote and see about getting it programmed.

I would love to hear from others as to whether an independent locksmith can in fact program the key. The dealer said they had to have the car in order to do it....

 

You raise a very good point - the eBay remote keys for around $150 do not include the metal key, typically

 

Thanks to all for the replies and advice!

This Prime Advanced is my third Prius - had a 2004, the 2012 Plug-In, and now my 2017 "leftover" purchased from Dianne Whitmire. I have always stressed over losing my key and getting locked out; my Dad taught us to always carry a spare key in your wallet... which I updated to "hiding" a spare on the car.

Here's what I have done with all three Priuses:

I take out the "blade" or metal key from my daily-carry remote, and using one of those Velcro "Hide-A-Key" pouches, I attach the pouch to a nice hidden and protected spot on the car (I'll leave it up to you to decide where.... my place is a "secret" ).

I then take the second remote, with its metal key installed, and wrap it in several layers of aluminum foil so it cannot be detected by the Prius' wireless key sensors, and I store the foil-wrapped remote in the armrest compartment.

When we misplaced our remote this past Tuesday, I simply accessed the hidden metal key, unlocked the driver's door, and then unwrapped the spare remote... and voila! - the Prime was ours to command.

Yesterday I modified my daily-carry remote to increase what I'll call "pocket friction", to limit its propensity to slip out. With its metal key removed and hidden elsewhere on the car, I drilled a 3/16" hole through one of the two plastic sides that are exposed when the blade key is out. I then looped a 5" long sturdy rubber band through the hole. This creates a kind of lanyard that is "grabby" against pocket cloth. I also applied a small patch of Velcro hook material to the logo side of the key. Even though my "lost" key didn't actually fall out of my pocket, the new Prime fob is rather slippery and streamlined so to speak. I wanted some cheap insurance against the chance it might escape from its permanent place deep down in my right front pocket.

I have lost many small Swiss Army "Executive" pocket knives over the years- their smallest model- and now employ the rubber-band lanyard and velcro spot tricks. I've had the same knives for at least ten years now!

Great weekend to all, Peter