1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Key / Key Fob Protection

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by harbormaster, Jul 8, 2009.

  1. harbormaster

    harbormaster New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    michigan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Has anyone seen any protective sleeves (preferably waterproof) for the Toyota keys/key fobs. I would like something similar to the ipod silicone sleeves that protect very well. I can resort to a snack size zip lock baggy for weekends in the woods/lake. It would be nice to have a layer of protection for impact as well as moisture.
    Also, anyone have a source for less expensive replacements?
    Esp. the little metal key part. I would like a couple of extra for a few multi driver scenarios.

    thoughts.??

     
  2. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2009
    606
    77
    0
    Location:
    Northern Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    The metal key only unlocks the driver's door. They cannot be used to drive the vehicle. You can get extras made by Toyota relatively cheaply.
     
  3. harbormaster

    harbormaster New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    michigan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I was quoted over $120 for the metel key alone and was told the entire unit was approx. $300. Not the price model I was hoping for when traditional keys can be had for around a dollar.
     
  4. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2009
    606
    77
    0
    Location:
    Northern Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Unfortunately, those days are fast disappearing with the cars that have these electronic keys. Basically, you cannot run the Prius without one of these. I think that most cars will eventually go to this technology. It's basically going to be like the demise of the rotary dial phone (anyone remember those? Ever wonder where the term "dial the phone" comes from??).

    On the G2 Prii, even the package 1 models without the "SKS" (Smart Key System) still needed the fob to drive them.

    I don't know if Generation 3 still carries this differentiation (non-SKS vs. SKS fobs; someone else can clarify). With the SKS G2s, you could get a non-SKS fob and program to run your SKS equiped car. But the fob would have to be put into the fob slot (as far as I can remember). So this was a slightly cheaper route to go.

    The benefit of the SKS system is that the fob never needs to leave your pocket. On the model IV and higher G3s, the two front doors and the hatch respond to the SKS. On your model III, only the driver's door responds, as far as I know.
     
  5. greylar

    greylar New Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    283
    38
    0
    Location:
    Montana
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    LOL That is all I had growing up as a kid. My folks stubbornly still use it today even tho I have offered to replace it for them. I think it the reason is they can't hear as well as they used to and the phone will wake the dead when it rings. Seriously you can hear it three houses down. But I'm worried it is going to give them a heart attack when it rings. Heck it almost gives me a heart attack. :D

    G
     
  6. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2007
    868
    123
    0
    Location:
    Silicon Valley, CA --- Land of Fruits & Nuts
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I grew up with rotary phones too. One advantage to them is that they always worked, no excuses. Simplicity has a quality all of its' own.

    Keith :focus:
     
  7. rstark18

    rstark18 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2009
    442
    75
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Sorry if this has been answered but I thought I could get a quick answer on this thread.

    If your battery dies in the remote, how do you start the car?
     
  8. jim256

    jim256 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2009
    317
    69
    0
    Location:
    Eastern NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    from the manual:

    Apply the brakes and touch the Toyota emblem side of the electronic key to the "POWER" switch.
    An alarm will sound to indicate that the start function cannot detect the electronic key that is touched to the "POWER" switch if any of the doors is opened and closed while the key is touched to the switch.
    To change "POWER" switch modes: Within 10 seconds of the buzzer sounding, release the brake pedal and press the "POWER" switch. Modes can be changed each time the switch is pressed. (→P. 162) To start the hybrid system: Press the "POWER" switch within 10 seconds after the buzzer sounds, keeping the brake pedal depressed.
    In the event that the "POWER" switch still cannot be operated, con-tact your Toyota dealer.
     
  9. MDTerp66

    MDTerp66 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2015
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Bellevue, NE
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    The battery in my fob is going dead about every six weeks. Fortunately, I signed up for free replacement batteries at Batteries+Bulbs, but I think they may get suspicious after awhile. Plus going there every couple of months is a pain. I always carry my keys in my right pants pocket and my cell phone in my left pants pocket. This started about a year ago. Any ideas/suggestions/comments would be appreciated.
     
  10. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2012
    2,593
    764
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    The Gen III fob is pretty much water resistant. I had mine go through the washing machine without issue. It functioned perfectly.


    If you have the key code, there is one guy who frequents PriusChat, who will delivered a perfectly working cut key insert to you for $17.

    Toycut - ovnisf Keys

    I've ordered twice from him, and they work perfectly.
     
  11. rstark18

    rstark18 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2009
    442
    75
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Wow. I have had my 2010 III since late 2009 and I have not replaced the keyfob battery yet.
     
  12. Nora

    Nora Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2013
    128
    44
    0
    Location:
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Yeah, something is wrong, MDT. I had a brief period where I had to touch the fob to the start button. Happened twice in a short period, but then it stopped, and the fob has been behaving correctly since. I couldn't believe that the battery was dead, and it wasn't. I think the car just got confused about the identity of the fob, or maybe the car wasn't searching for the fob correctly. Somehow it fixed itself.
     
  13. Nora

    Nora Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2013
    128
    44
    0
    Location:
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Harbormaster, you might be able to find a small plastic food container that would work. I have some pretty small containers by Lock & Lock that are quite waterproof and wouldn't be ridiculously big in my purse. You, however, might not carry a purse.
     
  14. P-Danny22

    P-Danny22 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2015
    2
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five

    I found a silicone protective sleeve on amazon for just a few dollars. They have various colors. I put "2011 toyota prius key fob protector" in the amazon search tool to find them. They are not waterproof but do protect during everyday wear and tear.
     
  15. sewspclprius

    sewspclprius New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2015
    5
    0
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    take the key out and take a screwdriver to the little slot on the side of the fob and buy a $3 round battery and put it all back together. Mine works fine doing this twice in 4 years
     
  16. Cheryl Root

    Cheryl Root Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2018
    19
    7
    0
    Location:
    Greeley CO
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
     
  17. Cheryl Root

    Cheryl Root Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2018
    19
    7
    0
    Location:
    Greeley CO
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Can you please tell me how to get the key code?

    Cheryl
     
  18. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    2,642
    1,140
    0
    Location:
    Northwestern S.C.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Good question! My "certified" used Prius came without it, and the salesman couldn't or wouldn't tell me how to retrieve it. I did get two working fobs, unlike some buyers of used Prii.