2010 Hidden Smart Key, How to???

The surfer who wanted to leave the smart key in the car and take the metal key with him had the same issue. A couple of us in a couple of threads recommended an Altoids tin. You could do that, and for extra measure wrap it in aluminum foil. Then hide that away in the glove box.

 

I just tried this and it worked great. Wrap the key in aluminum foil. I could not get the car to detect it even when held up to the power button.

 

Along this same line: I slept in my car last night (on purpose - long story). I had the key beside me (with plans to hit the alarm on the key fob if there was any trouble). I realized that the red security icon on the instrument panel would be flashing all night long because I wanted to lock the car with the key fob (and me) in it. I looked in my manual (p. 58) which shows the effective range of the SKS (Smart Key System) fob. The front of the car is not in range so I took out the mechanical key and stashed the SKS fob in the lower front grill. The warning light still flashed. So for the next 8 hours the warning light flashed. Happy to report the car started just fine. Guess I will try the fob in the metal can next time but it will make easy, quick access more difficult if needed in an emergency.

 

I have a "stupid key" (copy of the mechanical key) in my wallet, and the extra smart key wrapped in foil hidden in the triangular-ish hidey hole on the left in the hatch area. (I have a Gen II--do not know what the rear storage is like in Gen III.) Ok, it looks like a brick of drugs hidden in the back of my car, but what the hey! It works!

 

I put my SKS fob in an Altoids box today and it did not block the SKS signal. Then I wrapped the fob in tinfoil and put it in the Altoids box and it did block the signal. Then I locked the car and noticed that the red flashing lock warning icon continued to flash (like it did when I slept in my car with the fob beside me) even though no key was in the vehicle or close to it. I went back about an hour later and it was still flashing. Could someone sneak up to their locked 2010 Prius without the SKS fob on them and see if there is a flashing light on the dash?

 

It flashes all the time, locked on not. A visual deterrent I suspect.

Peter

 

On the '04 it flashes all night to warn people that the car is alarmed. You could either sleep on the passenger side or sit a piece of paper over the dash if the light bothers you.

 

I haven't tested this but you should be able to just store the extra smart key in the car without the battery. To start the car just hold the fob with the Toyota logo against the start button and press the button as usual...this is the same procedure for using the fob with a dead battery. One additional advantage to doing this is that if someone breaks into your car and finds the fob, chances are pretty good that they will have no idea how to use it without the battery.

 

Our dealer handed us a nice steel can that holds the keyfob very nicely. We were told it was made for this purpose, so I assumed it came with the car. I guess it's a dealer item as upon closer inspection there is no branding on it that I would expect if it was supplied with the car.

 

Hmmm i wonder if a Zippo lighter with the guts removed would work?

 

Lol I was trying to come up with the the word Zippo to describe it but couldn't, so I added a photo.