Prius Smart Key

I suspect it is a Toyota safety/theft issue, they implemented. In a minute, I can reprogram my neighbor's garage door to accept my own remote. Then later go in when they aren't home without leaving a fingerprint, make off with whatever I want. Would be the same with cars if we could reprogram a car to accept another key fob.

I just went through the same thing, the dealer said they tried, but the smart key fob, once used, cannot be reused, I suppose the dealer's intelligent software programmer device somehow knows (via checking a central database) whether a particular smart key's serial number of rfid identity has bee used once already, and disallows it for the above reasons. Because the smart fob itself is not programmed or altered in any way.

So all these knotheads selling used smart keys on Ebay (you know, those idiots who work for auto dealer reconditioners and auction houses, who steal all the manuals and spare keys - it is a sideline business) are selling used smart keys they already know are worthless.

At the risk of shocking you. Toyota is LYING TO YOU in order to SELL YOU A NEW SMARTKEY.

In the smartkey system, the key is NOT REPROGRAMMED!!!

Each smart key has a totally unique, individual electronic identity. It is burned into the key when it is created in the factory, and can NEVER be changed or altered.

The CAR'S COMPUTER is REPROGRAMMED to accept the new key's identity.
There is no reason, one single key could not be programmed into a DOZEN cars at the same time.

But then Toyota would not be able to sell you a $250 key.

p.s.- I'm an electronics engineer.

We lost one of our smart keys. Ebay was my source for the replacement. The first dealer refused to try saying the replacement fob could not be used. The second dealer made a valient attempt but only was able to get the new fob to work in the ignition. I had to plug the key into the dash receiver but the car would start and run but the doors would not open using the fob. At that point, I settled for that. I bought a new toyota key at the local key shop. That locked and unlocked the doors. I plug the fob in the dash and away I go. All this to say, it doesn't always work to buy a cheap fob and reprogram the the car.

so far i know, either smart key and car's computer has its own 'ID'. once smart key ID registered into the (a) computer, the computer's ID would be registered into the smart key as well. and only a new computer (the new one) which is has no registered ID would able to delete and replace computer's ID registered in the smart key. so, if you have lost all of your smart key, it is necessery to replace the computer as well, but for some Toyota or Lexus models are not.

To my understanding, the remote is programmed to the computer in the car, not the chip in the remote. correct?

So, if that is true. if you have a remote with the same FCC_ID and IC number, the remote should be programmable to the computer in the car (i.e. Camry, Prius, ...etc as long as it is a smart key)

the KEY words being having the correct FCC_ID and IC number.

Unfortunately, programming a smart key into the car's computer requires propriatary software that only Toyota appears to have.

Due to digital encryption, you cannot just enter a "number" into the car's computer.

The car's computer has to be linked into a Toyota diagnostic computer of some type, in order to get the Toyota car to accept the "ID code" of the new/replacement smart key.

Again, you are at Toyota's mercy as far as programming new/replacement smart keys into a Toyota product.

What is the process of getting a new key? And how long does it take. I just lost mine and it's Saturday night everything is closed until Monday.

There is a lot of misinformation surrounding the Smart Key.

Obviously, you would expect there to be sufficient protection in place to prevent your Prius from easily being stolen. Therefore, the Prius Smart Key uses various controls to prevent this.

First, whenever a key is paired to a vehicle, the VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER is burned into the key fob. This VID cannot be removed, there is NO PROCESS in place to remove it. A key can only be assigned to ONE (1) VID at a time. The VID is responsible for allowing the vehicle's SMART KEY ECU (Computer) to communicate solely with that particular key. The "plugged into the dash" functionality is a different computer (the immobilizer computer) which is easy to program.

Therefore, most people will say the key is useless once it's been paired to another vehicle. It is possible to supplant the VID, but this is not a Toyota-approved method. We sell the service to our customers who are trying to get their cheap eBay keys to work.

We do not recommend that you purchase eBay keys in an effort to save money, since most shops cannot get your car's VID into the used fob. Ultimately, they are successful only in making your key a "dumb key" -- where it needs to plug in.

If you want more information, please visit our website. You can also see what we charge for prices. KEEP IN MIND, YOUR VEHICLE MUST BE PRESENT AT TIME OF PROGRAMMING. We cannot help anyone out via mail order. Sorry

http://artsautomotive.com/services/154-adding-deleting-and-replacing-pri...

I've had a prius since 2005 and never had problems with the smartkey. However I upgraded to a 2010 model and one of the smartkeys keeps running out of battery within 2 wks time. I've been going through this for four months now and they replace the battery, 2 wks later I'm back again. Finally they've ordered a new one and they still insist that it's some sort of electronic interference and not the smartkey because they can detect any problems with it's electgronics. Does anyone out there have any comments regarding this issue?

hi i lost both keys so have none left my car is parked in my garage and toyota dealer is quoting me $4000!

I just talked with a locksmith who said they *can *buy the Toyota computer, but that it's too costly at ~$6K. So, unless you are in a location where a locksmith can make a profit with enough of a market on lost Toyota smart keys, the dealer will be the only place with the computer.

I might have. It had another Toyota key for my Hilander attached.
I occasionally drive through there and lost them about that long ago.

Email me and I'll give you my phone to call me.

Hi,

I lost one of my Pruis Smart Fobs and I have been trying to figure out how to replace it cost effectively. The dealer quoted me about $300 for a new one, which seems quite expensive.

I see a website offering
"Smartkey - 3 Button Silver Toyota Logo on Back FCCID: MOZB31EG
Dealership Price: $279.33 YOUR PRICE: $169.95 You Save: $109.38
That's 39% OFF Dealership price"

From the discussion here, it sounds like the dealer is going to have to do the programming to make the key work with my 2004 Prius, and from all I know, that could eat up the $109 savings.

Has anyone used IKeyless.com? and how much should programming of a key cost at a dealer?

Thanks,

I bought one from original keyless.com for $99 (Camry Hybrid) and dealer could not program it. Do not buy from originalkeyless.com. Dealer told me that remotes are locked to one vehicle only and cannot be reprogrammed.

considering this guide here http://www.autokeysquad.com/toyota-fob-programming it might be that the key is fine. the only thing which you need to change is the transponder key. which shouldn't cost more than a couple of bucks. then you can program it to your vehicle.
hope this helps

sorry, i managed to post three times..must be the network

My wife and I wanted to buy a 2012 Prius V, but learned about the alleged "smart key" and we decided to back out of the deal at the very last minute. We feel the alleged "smart key" is a total rip off. I told the salesman that I didn't care if the key could take a poop. The $500.00+ replacement cost is ludicrous and moreover, the alleged "smart key" is extremely inconvenient and has many drawbacks. Even if it could be replaced for $12.00 I wouldn't want a car with one. The Toyota alleged smart key should win an award for one of the most worthless over priced accessories every to come as standard equipment on an automobile. I would like to find a kit that can change this nuisance system to an ordinary key. The kit should be able to bypass the smart key with an ordinary flat key that doesn't take a ton of space in your pocket and cost a small fortune to replace? I'm curious, has anyone sent their $500 key through the wash?

As soon as you lose one key, you have to replace it, because it would not be wise to only have one key left. Ironically the main aspect of buying a new car now seems to be the cost and ease of replacing of the key. $500.00+ is the cost of replacement here in Honolulu, and you have to transport the car to the main service center which is on the other side of the island, as that is the only place where Toyota has the equipment needed to reprogram the car and cut the new key. For the record, you can buy a new Hyundai and the cost of a replacement key is only $18.00 at the dealership. I had to replace the rear deck lock on my 2000 Subaru Outback, and got a new lock with two new keys for $35.00 at the nearest Subaru Dealer in Denver, Colorado. (I live in Colorado in the summertime.)