Questions about Smart Key system
Created December 9, 2006, at 2:48 am by DMImakai
My husband and I just purchased our new Camry Hybrid and are both excited about it. However, we are a bit confused about the Smart Key/keyless remote that is included. Any assistance would be most appreciated (I saw the post about how to disable the smart key system):
1. I know the smart key is cool and all, but is it possible to entirely disable the system and replace it with a traditional entry/ignition key? We both think the key fob/remote is very bulky. My cell phone is not much bigger!
2. How much of a concern is leaving the key fob within 7 feet of the car? (the manual mentions this). Our driveway is immediately next to our front door. We usually leave our keys near the front door as a matter of habit, but if this is going to unlock the car obviously we don't want to do that.
3. Have you found that keeping your smart key/wireless remote fob with your cell phone or near other devices (like TV or PC) lessens the battery life of the fob? The manual says not to keep those devices together, but I gotta say that is completely ridiculous -- I carry my keys and my cell phone in my purse, and my husband often carries both in his pockets. Is this a real concern, or just CYA in the manual?
4. How difficult is it to get a replacement smart key? I saw some info on line about jacked up prices and inconvenience in doing so. I was thinking of going ahead and buying one before we need it, along with replacement batteries.
TIA
DMI
Honolulu
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5 years ago
I can only help you with #3. I keep the smart key in my purse next to my cell phone. It's been there since July and hasn't caused a problem with either device.
I like the smart key and wish the doors to my house had one so I never had to pull out my key.
5 years ago
Thanks for the info, folks. Its not that I don't like the smartkey system -- although admittedly it is a bit weird at first -- its just that I don't want to carry the big fob around. Laziness, I guess.
5 years ago
The smartkey is the coolest invention for cars since the hybrid but I can see your points. My suggestion is to take out a home equity loan and have a contractor build you a garage with lead sheet lined walls to stop the radio waves from the smartkey possibly travelling to you car not to mention the lead sheets will also stop deadly radiation rays from the planet krypton. I would also stock up on bateries and keep a set at home and in the glove compartment.
5 years ago
1) people other than the driver have immediate access to the car
2) A quick-thinking car thief could easily jump in ahead of the driver, push the start button and steal the car.
Since there are no customizing options for Smart Key besides "On" or "Off," I thought my wife had a valid point.
Oh and Hybrid Norcal, a lead-lined garage isn't necessary to protect against "deadly radiation rays from the planet krypton." A tin foil beanie should do the job quite nicely ;)
5 years ago
figure2, the smartkey only opens all doors if you (the person with the fob in pocket) approach the passenger door or hatchback and put your fingers under the handle there. You might have mistakenly thought it did because you have one fob and wife has the other.;)
Try this: enable smartkey, give smartkey to wife, lock all doors. You must not have a fob. If wife is alone, she would be getting in the driver's side door, not passenger, right? So you pretend to be bad guy on other side of car. Have wife use smartkey to open driver's side door by approaching it and placing fingers under the handle. At the same time, you attempt to open any door you like. IT WILL NOT WORK.
So while your aims to keep wife safe are admirable, they have nothing to do with smartkey's ability. You could even argue that the smartkey would make her safer, not having to fumble around in purse for keys or have keys out already where unseen thieves would be able to grab them. Could even confuse evildoers into thinking she's going to a different car.
5 years ago
hookem-horns, I just tested my Smart Key System and you're right. It worked just like you said. I wish my owner's manual had explained this in more detal.
I made one additional discovery. I opened the driver's side door and then handed the fob to my wife who was standing outside the car but still close to the door. The car wouldn't start. Smart Key apparently knows if the fob is inside or outside of the car and will only start if the driver brings the car inside.
5 years ago
hence "smart"-key
5 years ago
I love the smart key on my 2006 Prius. I didn't, however, like having to unlock the passenger and rear passenger doors for my wife and kid whenever I opened the driver door.
I read the manual and followed the instructions on how to change the behavior so that when I unlock the drivers door (by touching it) it also unlocks the other doors. It's configurable. Very cool.
So not only do you not have to worry about the other doors being unlocked if you don't want them to, you also can configure it so that they will be!
5 years ago
Even smarter than i thought! :D
Now for those of us so lazy as to want to avoid looking stuff up in the manual (smartkey lovers, after all, not exactly the kind of go-getters who reach for keys), or for others who may have spilled something on the manual and made it less than readable (tailgating is hell on manuals--they are usually parked in the glovebox right next to the napkins), could you please please please summarize the directions for us here????
There is no little smiley person on knees begging or i would put one here. ;)
4 years ago
I absolutely love the keys! The only drawback is the hurricanes and that long bridge to get there....but all things considered a few margaritas when you get there takes care of that! Now that's smart! :p
Happy Hump Day!
Crybrid:p
4 years ago
My first day with my new Camry Hybrid and I was trying to figure out the Smartkey system. My son ran across the road with the key. The trunk still opened. So did the doors. Read the manual over and over. Finally figured out the problem. I just drove home from the dealership. So my spare key WAS IN THE CAR. So, it always allowed opening.
Anyway, now that I'm used to the Smartkey system, I think it's pretty cool. My son does too. Like others, I'm so used to not fumbling for my keys or phone that I expect to just walk in to my front door and have it open automatically. You get used to good things fast.
Not that I can't wait for winter (I live in Toronto), but it'll be great in winter when I don't have to take my keys or phone out of my pocket to lock or unlock the doors or trunk or to make or receive phonecalls.
I doubt the interference the manual is talking about is anything more than CYA stuff too. My mom has a pacemaker so I was worried about that too. And I think the diagrams in the manual show that the activation area is very small - not usually where the front door would be so close to the car. It's easy enough to test out.
4 years ago
Here's the procedure:
CHANGING THE DOORS TO BE UNLOCKED
Each time you push the lock button
together with the panic button on the
smart key for about 5 seconds with the
hybrid system off, the setting for door
unlocking will change as follows:
1. Driver’s door unlocking mode: If you
perform smart unlocking operation on
the driver’s door, it will unlock. Performing
unlocking operation on the
front passenger’s door or back door
will unlock all the doors. When the
system switches to this mode, one
beep sounds inside the vehicle and two
beeps sound three times.
2. All doors unlocking mode: Performing
smart unlocking operation on either
front door or back door will unlock all
the doors. When the system switches
to this mode, one beep sounds inside
the vehicle and two beeps sound twice.
3. Single door unlocking mode: The
driver’s door or back door on which
you perform smart unlocking operation
will unlock. However, performing unlocking
operation on the front passenger’s
door will unlock all the doors.
When the system switches to this
mode, one beep sounds inside the vehicle
and two beeps sound once.
4 years ago
My Camery has constant key problems.
I dont think I will ever get anohter Toyota again they are not well built like they used to be.
Karen
3 years ago
I have a 2007 Camry Hybrid. The other day I forgot to turn the car off when I parked. Four hours later I was outside and noticed the car was still on. The smartkey was about 40 feet away from the car. I asked the service guy at the local Toyota dearlership about this, as I thought the car should have shut off on its own with the smartkey being so far away. Toyota said the the car would have continued to run until it either ran out of gas or someone shut it off. Someone could have gotten in the car and driven off and the car would have continued to run until they shut it off. Once shut off they would not have been able to restart it because they would not have the smart key. I don't like their answer to this. I assume the service rep knows what they are talking about. Just wanted to share this little bit of info.
3 years ago
actually, if you step out of the car with the car still running and the keyfob is on you, you should be hearing a beeping sound from out side of the car tlling you that the car is running and the fob is outside of the vehicle.
if the car automatically shut down every time you walk out with the fob, them you will not be able to warm up the car on freezing winter mornings and run back inside without leaving the fob in the car itself.
with any human invention, there is always some drawback but the benefits usually outwiegh them. same here with the smartkey, it is really convinient but it is not perfect.
3 years ago
I wish the alert 'beeping' to let you know you've left the keyfob in the car or the car on were just a little louder, though. If you're in a high-traffic area, or hard of hearing, they can be difficult to hear.
One solution, though, is to use a Club and lock it to the steering wheel every time you leave. Even if you accidentally leave the car on, a potential thief probably will see the club and move on before they notice! The quietness of the motor is a little freaky.
3 years ago
I have a 2005 prius w/smart key...all of a sudden the driver's door smart option does not work anymore...all the other doors work fine, what could be the problem? Thanks
3 years ago
I never forget to turn my 08 TCH off because I love to see it say "Excellent!" at the end of my trip! :-)
3 years ago
no wonder a smart key was developed.. there are an awful lot of dummies out there.
3 years ago
Memo to Patricia:
Don't forget to turn off your car. I'm amazed that someone would even need to tell you this. Have you ever forgotten to get dressed before leaving your house?
3 years ago
I am looking at buying a camry hybrid, and was wondering what the black button is on the 2 front door handles. I assume it is a part of the smartkey.
3 years ago
With the Smart key system, you can keep the key fob in your pocket the whole time. The black button is what you hit to lock the car when you get out so you don't have to dig the fob out of your pocket.
Note that the car usually senses if the key fob is inside or out, although it's not always perfect. So if you leave the keys in the car, shut the door and hit the black button, it should sense that you left the keys inside and NOT lock the doors. Instead, it beeps loudly at you as a warning.
3 years ago
The digital key fobs are cool however their are those few issues, yes expensive around 460 dollars to replace the whole unit. beware of online retailers that sell these identical keys for a slightly lesser fee however a trip to the dealer with your wallet will still be required as the keys do not come programed and also the inner valet key is around $120 (included in the $460) and has to be ordered from the manufacturer so ordering before you need it is a good idea. You dont need to worry about the seven feet thing, that car will not recieve the signal unless fob is located within two feet of door handle on either side which is about seven feet from the transmiter located in a black box in a unknown location in the motor compartment. I think you might be a bit silly in the fact the size of the fob is no larger than the remotes for any of my vehicles and eliminates the keys, considering my home happens to be automated this completley eliminates keys fo me! I f you want a standard key, well then it kinda sucks that you paid the extra costs associated with the smartkey! As far as electronics I only try to keep the key fob away from hard drives and unprotected credit cards but not for batterie reasons but simply possible magnetic issues> I hope this might help. I have a 09 tch with 20" wheels, hid headlight kit, underbody leds, dynomat dampening kit throughout, custom smoke burl wood water transfering on select interior parts, interior lights converted to leds, sound system and tint on 8/8 windows
3 years ago
I have never used the valet option on the smart key and want to take the car to be detailed for my husband. How does it work??? I have the 2006 Prius. Do I take the smaller "key" out of the fob, put it in the ignition and then take the fob with me? Does this allow the attendants to drive the car?
3 years ago
Hi, I have a 06 Prius with the smart key system. Actually, there are settings - you can set it to only open the drivers door when that door handle is touched. The others stay locked. IF you touch the front passenger door handle, they all unlock. I feel that this is actually safer than a key lock - if you are nervous about someone around you, this setting allows you to quickly get in the drivers door WITHOUT having to nervously fumble with a key, and the others remain locked. Yes, there is a setting where they all unlock, and yes, that doesn't seem safe. Just check the manual and put it on the safer setting.
2 years ago
I just purchased a 2010 Honda Insight. Can the Smart Key System be added to the car. If so, by who?
2 years ago
Programming my 2010 camry doors not to all unlock on park
How can I program my 2010 camry doors so the will not all unlock when I put my gear in park? I've tried reading the manul but can't understand stand it. Could someone explain this to me ?
2 years ago
I assume that after two months, you've solved this problem but if not: you must take your Toyota to an official Toyota dealer who will have their service department program it with a special machine. Your manual tells you what you can and cannot program.
2 years ago
If you think about it, shutting the car when the smart key is not present is not a good idea.
I have had my Camry hybrid for nearly 2 years now and have had to replace the battery once in the remote.
Imagine, if you were driving along and the battery in the smart key key dies (it's always transmitting and using power).
Going on the highway and car engine dies............lots of problems there. So, you can keep on driving, and the car will tell you that it does not detect the key (battery may be finished).....so just drive to the nearest place where you can buy the battery......which is very standard (any walmart would hv it) and you are done.
2 years ago
I'm still looking for the answer to the "where is the best...i mean cheapest place to by a Smartkey. I'm so exhausted looking for it in the house and looking online for one that will actually be programable. The dealer makes it sound like they will make it impossible to program anything but the one they want $300. for.
2 years ago
I have misplaced my smart key. Is there anyway of syncing a call from a phone to locate it? Pricy item if I can't.
2 years ago
The odds of the battery dying in the fob and INSTANTLY stalling the engine are slim since you would notice "reduced performance" from it. Besides, the dash would most likely inform you of this first. Should you have an issue with the the fob, simply plug it into the dash.
2 years ago
Yes, this is true. I have used the smartkey for four years and when I approach the driver's side it only unlocks my door. If I have the key in my pocket and approach the passenger side, all doors unlock.
1 year ago
****************************************************
My wife & I just purchased an '06 Prius with Smart Key and very soon afterward, she asked me to disable it. Her main concern was the possibility that she might find herself in a situation where she was alone and returning to the car and find people nearby who made her uncomfortable. Since Smart Key opens all the car doors and enables the ignition simultaneously,:
1) people other than the driver have immediate access to the car
2) A quick-thinking car thief could easily jump in ahead of the driver, push the start button and steal the car.
Since there are no customizing options for Smart Key besides "On" or "Off," I thought my wife had a valid point.
****************************************************
Both of these issues are none issues.
The fob only opens the door when you touch the handle (unless you actually pull it out and double click the open button). If you are on the drivers side, and someone touches the door on the passenger side, the passenger side door will not open. Because of this same location awareness, if you are standing outside the car, even right next to the door, and someone else gets in the car and presses the start button, the car will not start while the smart key is not in the car.
1 year ago
I am trying to get another smart key programmed to my 2006 Prius (to replace one that was lost). The one we have works perfectly. I purchased a used remote on e-bay from a reputable seller, however neither myself or a Toyota dealer could program it. I returned the remote and got another one. The same problem occurred at a different dealer. That one told me that the only way I could get any smart key programmed was if it had NEVER been programmed before. Does anyone know if this is true. It doesn't seem right since all of these sellers on e-bay have hundreds and hundreds of positive feedbacks from people who have purchased used Prius smart keys. Thanks.
1 year ago
We have a 2006 Prius with the Smart Key. My wife will often find that the door will not unlock with the smart key in her pocket or in her purse. When I take the same key, put it in my pocket and approach the car, it unlocks every time--even from a few feet away.
Once in the car, my wife will sometimes be unable to start the car without inserting the smart key into the dash. With the same key, I never have a problem starting the same car.
Can anyone explain this? Thanks, MATT
1 year ago
What do you do with the Smart Key at the Car Wash or with Valet parking? Do you give the fob to the attendent, leave it in the car?
Ken
1 year ago
Had the same experience today Scott. Bought a used smart key for a 2007 Camry on ebay; dealership said they couldn't program it (charged $25 to try). The FCC code is the same as my other smart key. I'm not sure where else to try. Any suggestions?
1 year ago
Matt, your battery may be getting low.
1 year ago
Purchased a used FOB Key Pad for a 2009 Camry Hybrid. Was listed on Ebay as being able to reprogram to use on my car. Took to dealer. They told me it is not possible to progam once used on another vehicle. I blew my 70 bucks for nothing. New one from dealer is 243 dollars plus programing is 98 dollars. Does anyone know of a better deal out there. Please respond if you know of one. Thanks
1 year ago
I am here in Sri Lanka. In few places in this island the smart key seems not working.I had to push my toyota for 2 kilometres to have my car started. They say that they have fixed some satellite jammers around the city as a security concern. could that be a truth? any one have experienced the same problem?
1 year ago
Hi,
I too have misplaced the darn thing ... did you ever find a way to get it to tell you where it is ?
many thanks,
Lee
1 year ago
I have had the same problem as a few of you have. I bought a used Smart Key FOB off ebay, but the dealer says they can't program it. I'm sitting at the dealership right now, while they are "trying" something. The technician said he might be able to erase the current cpu and reprogram both keys to work. Of course the cost for this is $100. They want me to just shell out the $225 for a new one that is programed, but I think the price is ridiculous. I know a guy that will sell me stock leather seats for $300. Hmmm, new leather interior or spare key, which is worth more to you?
1 year ago
How big is your cellphone? I have a regular baseline model camera phone, and it's about 3.75 x 2 x 0.75". The Camry smart key looks to be about the same size as my car alarm remote: 2.25 x 1.5 x 0.6", which is about half the size of my cellphone. That is no bigger than most key chains.
Besides, unless you're planning on not having an alarm system in your new Camry, then you're just going to end up with a car alarm remote that's exactly the same size as your smart key.
1 year ago
Same as if you have a regular key....u leave the car running anyone can take it
1 year ago
can I buy bran new smart key remote for my 2009 toyota camry hybrid can this be programing and how much cost this
1 year ago
I highly doubt that Karen is a Camry owner because if she were, she would know that Camry is not spelled "Camery". Perhaps Karen works for another automotive company.
50 weeks ago
Just played designated driver for a friend and his brand new 4Runner. Got home and realized his fob was in my pocket. We live an hour and a half apart. Is he going to be in big trouble come getting to work today without it????
50 weeks ago
Hopefully he has the other key that came with the vehicle when he purchased it. He will not be able to start it without one of the keys.
49 weeks ago
The indicator light that is shaped like a car with a key inside no longer stops blinking when I shut off the car. This happened after I left the car in a valet parking lot.
The manual in the car is not clear about what I can do to make this indicator stop blinking. Any ideas?
Thanks!
48 weeks ago
I am having the same problem...did your resolve yours?
41 weeks ago
In my book, this technology should be called "dumb key" because it indiscriminately sends out radio waves 24 hours a day. There have been many studies indicating that close range electromagnetic waves passing through the body can cause health issues, including cancer. Why invent a system where you keep an electromagnetic wave generator in your pocket all the time? The more common type of remote entry key sends out a single pulse of energy to unlock or lock the doors, with exposure limited to a fraction of a second. Have you read the disclaimer that anyone with a pacemaker should not use the smart key?
34 weeks ago
The smart key system does not unlock all the doors when you reach for the driver's door. It only unlocks all doors when you unlock by reaching for the passenger side door handle or the rear hatch.
Sounds like the Mrs. has some paranoia issues, or else you need to move to someplace more civilized.
30 weeks ago
Is there a key blade inside the fob to use in a situation, when the batteries are weak? And if available, how is it taken from the fob?
13 weeks ago
Concerning "well built" comment. Last week I hit another car at 45 MPH with no braking. (other driver came out fot a blind driveway!!) 2007 Camry Hybrid totaled. Walked away with a seat belt bruise. All safety features worked as designed. Little to no cabin damage. Went out and bought a 2008 Hybrid to replace the 2007. This car is a a LIFE SAVER!!!
11 weeks ago
1. yes, there's mechanical key inside the fob that will unlock a door.
2. even iffob battery is completely dead, you can place Toyota logo on fob against the the Power button, and it will start the engine.
BEWARE!!!!
If you left your engine running, and stepped out of the car, and walked away (nature calls reason, or stupidity) - ENGINE WILL RUN AND CAR WILL DRIVE AWAY WITHOUT KEY BEING PHYSICALLY PRESENT INSIDE, UNTIL NEXT ENGINE SHUT DOWN. So, you stepped out for a bag of cgips, forgot to turn engine off and this is quite easy to do on a completely silent car, as 3 warning beeps may not be noticed - and a baddy may get inside and drive away. Not so smart, huh?
11 weeks ago
I left my key with a body shop manager and he left it in the key slot one the dashboard for several days. Since that the smart key will open or lock the doors but has to be in the slot to start the car. Has anyone had and solved this problem?
11 weeks ago
Oh, I forgot to mention that I have three smart keys and they all show this problem. That is they must be in the slot to start the car. Also I replace the battery on one of them and it didn't fix the problem.
11 weeks ago
you have Prius, right? Camry Hybrid has power button but no slot. As far as I know, in Prius, key has to be in the slot for car to start.
9 weeks ago
Left my 2010 Camry running for about 35 minutes. I had the fob in my purse a couple hundred yards away. A friend noticed and let me know. When I went out to check, yes, indeed it was running, radio still blaring.....I too thought that if you left the car idle it would eventually shut off with no fob nearby....also heard no warning beeps as I approached it to check it. does anyone know the rules of the fob for a 2010 (not hybrid) Camry and the engine running?
6 weeks ago
perhaps you should just ride a bicycle
1 week ago
My wife and I were going 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. The $500.00+ replacement cost is ludicrous and in many ways 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. It should probably win an award for one of the most worthless over priced accessory every to come as standard equipment in an automobile.
12 hours ago
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE RANGE OF THE SMART KEY IN MY 2011 TOYOTA TO LOCK/UNLOCK OR OPEN THE SLIDING DOORS IS CLOSE TO 100 FEET. THIS WAS TESTED MANY TIMES. THIS MEANS THAT IF ACTIVATED REMOTELY, ACCIDENTALLY...NOT REAL EASY, BUT STILL POSSIBLE... THE DOOR(S) MAY BE LEFT UNLOCKED....(THEY WILL LOCK IN 60 SECONDS IF DOOR NOT OPENED). BUT IF SLIDING DOOR IS LEFT OPEN, THAT IS A REAL PROBLEM. TRY THIS YOURSELF.
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