A tip that could save you $150 - $200.

Sorry ! kind like confused here... so the TR47 only use for open the door but not starting the engine??

 

A former girlfriend of mine once not that long ago threw away her Honda Civic fob when she tossed her McDonald's meal and pitched the tray wrappers + car fob into the trash. No, she didn't find it after she came back inside and tore the trash can apart. Yes, it turned out to be an expensive McDonald's meal. Plus, I got an earful later in the day because I wasn't within phone reach to come to the rescue. Oh yeah - we're not friends anymore (for various other yet generally same category reasons).

 

To Phil,

Very goood summary of your key options on a PRIUS C1 or C2. One note, If your are forced to purchase a programmed key (TR47), you can go to any CHIPKEY center, most full service ACE Hardware stores, and have a full function Valet style key made for $79.00. That is our curent price.

 

She got a ride from an acquaintance she met at a training class that day.

 

Final update on key duplication options, a year or so ago Toyota changed the encryption algorithim on the PRIUS keys, By doing this alternate sources such as Hi-Ko ChipKey cannot provide the copy service, you are forced to go to the dealers and spend a little more. So for all you C1 and C2 owners, make a cheap metal key dup and place it in your wallat for emergencies, it will let you open the door. Once inside the car you are forced to remember.......where did I hide that key?

 

Don't know what all this T27 stuff is but right after I got my prius used I went to Home Depot and the "locksmith" guy noted that it was a Toyota key, made a copy for me, said he didn't know if it would work but it did.

 

So, I am confused. I have a 2012 Prius C4 with a smart key system. The only good a key in the remote is to open the door if, somehow, I was able to lock the car with the remote in it (which I can't) - Also, the key head is a good thing to put my carbiner on. Other than that a key seems to be USELESS - I can't use it to start my car (or am I missing something?) My problem is that I have lost one of my remotes and it looks like about $450 to replace it (reprogramming and new remote). Apparently Toyota has increased security and, if I lose my other remote, I will have a $20K sitting in my driveway (waiting for a $450 key)!

 

This thread is really for C1/C2 owners. The SKS in the C3/C4 is a different beast and our backup key is only to open the driver's door (and it's really intended for a situation where there is no 12V power or problematic RF interference).

 

$225:

$180, for those without the smart key system:

I haven't tried them, but the seller has very good reviews, and the description says they're guaranteed ot be programmable, and instructions are included.

 

I'd suggest for anyone without roadside assistance to consider it. Most insurance companies charge a VERY small fee for this service.

 

I have always had a key hidden on the outside of all my cars, and has helped me a few times. Never use those cheap metal boxes with a magnet, they end up falling off.

 

I bought a key off of ebay, similar to the one shown by minkus above. Can anyone point me to the programming steps for this key? I have a working master, but the instructions I keep finding around the interwebs appear to be for the smart keys.

 

Did it not come with instructions? Try contacting the seller. I know it's not the one you purchased, but that seller's listing says:

If the seller you bought it from doesn't help, you might be able to try asking the seller of the one I linked to. If that doesn't work, you can tell him/her a relative bought it for you from another ebay account you don't have access to.

 

Been hiding a key in a magnet box for 40 yrs. and many different cars.Never had one fall off,but got to say,I'm always a little surprised when it's still there.
steve

 

i keep a spare key in my wallet,,, and two more somewhere in the car but i forgot where. my ace charged me about $4 for each key,,, and i had them redo one of them because it didnt work. make sure your spares work. and i am thankful i dont have that silly immobilizer on my c One.

 

I will sound like a car buying moron, but I actually opted for the key replacement from the dealer. While we were discussing it he dropped the price down another 100 bucks.

I decided to do it based on our track record with the Tacoma-I think we've replaced 2 of the openers/fobs and we have one that just stopped working. So for us it seemed like good idea.

ETA but I will go ahead and have two spares made -thank you so much for the tip here!