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Smart Key programming

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by cutter44, May 7, 2015.

  1. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Okay, when I bought my 2012 (pre-owned) from a local Subaru dealer, it had only one Smart Key. The salesman was quite apologetic when I picked it up and he told me they have been unable to find the second key. They're still hoping it may show up behind a file cabinet or something, but to make a long story short, he said he would order me a new one and lo and behold it arrived in the mail today. Factory-fresh, brand new, bubble-wrap sealed Toyota part number 89904-52290.

    Now I just need to get it programmed. Is my best bet to call a bunch of local Toyota dealers and see what they'd charge, or do I just skip that step and start calling local locksmiths? Needless to say, I'm looking for the least expensive way to do this that I can be sure will work. I get the impression it's not rocket science, but I also know it requires special tools and software to do properly. I know a Toyota dealer will be able to do it, but I'm guessing a competent locksmith can do it cheaper.

    Thoughts?

    P.S. Is this something where I'll have to bring (and possibly have to leave) the car, or do I just bring in the original Smart Key and the new one?

    P.P.S. I just checked and the mechanical (pull-out) part of both the original and the new one look identical as far as how they're cut. How can that be?
     
    #1 cutter44, May 7, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would call everyone and their brother for the best price.:p

    not sure if they need the car or the other key, but they should be able to do it while you wait.

    and suburu should reimburse you.
     
    #2 bisco, May 7, 2015
  3. kingnba6

    kingnba6 Active Member

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    I think they will need your car since they have to program the car computer to the key. I believe it is done through the toyota software, Techstream.
     
    #3 kingnba6, May 8, 2015
  4. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    Called a few places today. Dealer prices for programming range from a low of $70 to a high of $110. Locksmith was $60. For the $10 difference, I made an appointment for Monday at the Toyota dealer charging the $70. That way if they screw it up, they can't say "You should have had a dealer do it". :)
     
    #4 cutter44, May 8, 2015
    robertmaria and bisco like this.
  5. PeterHaas

    PeterHaas Member

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    Two
    At ACE Hardware store locations which offer programming of so-called "chip" keys, all they need is the "chip" key itself.

    However, ACE Hardware stores are not necessarily the best place to have the mechanical portion of such a key duplicated.

    A licensed locksmith or your Toyota dealer are usually your best overall choice, but at a stiff price penalty.
     
    #5 PeterHaas, May 9, 2015
  6. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    Had the programming done at the Toyota dealer this morning. When I was greeted and confirmed the reason for the appointment, I said "$70, right?". He said, "Well, it's $82.99 but if they quoted you $70, we'll honor that." And they did. Waiting room was busy (free wifi and coffee), and about an hour and a half later, I was out of there with a perfectly working new SmartKey and a freshly washed car to boot. Very nice folks.
     
    #6 cutter44, May 11, 2015
  7. TC400

    TC400 Active Member

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    I just paid $84 to program two tpms sensors since I broke two of them. And that was the price after a 20% discount.
     
    #7 TC400, May 22, 2015
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    cutter, please share the name of this sweet toyota dealer.:)
     
    #8 bisco, May 22, 2015
  9. cutter44

    cutter44 Member

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    It's Toyota of Watertown (MA). Remember, I already had a brand new, factory sealed Toyota SmartKey. They just programmed it. Still, I was pleased with the price and treatment.
     
    #9 cutter44, May 23, 2015
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