Valet key?? We got two fobs . . .

I called the dealer the other day because I didn't receive the aluminium tag with the car. He indicated that Toyota no longer is giving those out. You need to bring your registration and ID to Toyota for them to get you another key.

 

It depends on the region you're in. Some still give out the tag, but others have stopped giving it out because people lose them. But you don't need it and all you have to do is go to the nearest Toyota parts dept with your ID and registration if you ever need to have a key made.

 

I had our car in yesterday to add the 3M Scotchguard paint protector/invisible bra, protective side mouldings, rear bumper protector & hood deflector and asked my salesman the same question; "Where is my valet key?" He said that was a typo and there is no valet key with the 2010.

 

The valet key is not too useful. I never keep anything of too much value in the glove box.

Most luxury cars have a trunk opening button in the passenger compartment so the trunk is never secure. As for the glove box, a thief with time can open the trunk, take out the tire iron, and force their way into the glove box. It is probably just as well it is not locked. One less thing to replace after a break in.

But then, I don't speak for others. I realize that others may be concerned about the valet finding out where you live. It is a valid concern if you live in the public eye.

My aluminum tag was attached to a ring on one of the two keyfobs when I got my car Dec 1, 2009 in the U.S.

 

I received two fobs (assuming we mean the little black things with remote access buttons). How do I get a physical key? I have the impression the physical keys are inside the fob, but I have to say that I haven't found a way to get to them.

 

There is a button on the side of the fob to push to get the physical key. The physical key contain the hole used by the Fob to attach to a keychain. If your fob is attached to a keychain, you must have a key.

A keyfob without a key has no hole and cannot be attached to a key chain.

You just have to figure out how to get the key out.

 

With the fob oriented so the "lock" symbol is up and facing you, feel the left edge near the top. When you find the bump, press it in all the way (a fingernail works well) and at the same time pull down on the eyelet at the lower left.

The key should slide down and out.

 

Don't use keysfast.info, at least, not for a Gen III. After corresponding with this guy by email and making sure he knew I needed a fob and key for a Gen III, he up and sent me a fob, but $DIETY only knows what this fob is for. It's not for a Pruis, anyway, and a local dealer has zero idea what kind of Toyota it's for.

The guy at keysfast refused to send a replacement key or a refund, so now I'm out the money and have an unusable key to boot. (Well, the "laser cut" part works.. But you can't start the car with it.)

I'm busy getting a refund from the credit card company. And I'll post something on his "spotless" Better Business Bureau.

I suppose if you've got a fob with an uncut mechanical key this guy might be able to do something. But that's it.

KBeck

 

I think the lesson is that keyfast can make a laser cut key, but they can't supply the rest of the keyfob.

So far, nobody has reported successful use of a used Gen3 keyfob. It took 6 years before it came out that used Gen2 keyfobs can be paired with a different car. The Gen2 process requires a "Smart Key Reset".

I don't know if a similar reset is available for the Gen3, or if a keyfob like one from a Camry Hybrid would work. Both are possibilities - experiments for some pioneer.

 

Nope, my 2010 owners manual says the same thing about three keys--but I didn't get a valet key either....

 

The Warranty and Maintenance Guide for 2011 still says "Upon purchase, each vehicle should have two master keys, one valet key and an aluminum tag with a key-code imprinted on it."
Made for a little confusion, as my daughter just bought her car two days ago. Reading the posts here will save us a call to the dealer. Her car did come with the numbered tag.

 

I would rather have the valet use the fob anyway. They would be more likely to scratch the door with a physical key. My previous car (VW Jetta) also had a lock on the glove compartment, which the valet key wouldn't open. I think the trunk release wouldn't work without the normal key, but I'm not sure.