Mods, feel free to move this post; I didn't know if this was the best place to put it. OK, I understand the thing about the smart key system and not leaving the fob in the car, so now I have a cheapo-cheapo carabiner on it and I hang it from a belt loop. But suppose I did lock the fob in the car; I could use a cut key to manually open the door, right? So is it possible to buy just an extra cut key for the Prius (to leave in my now-lonely wallet), or do I have to get the whole fob dingus?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Plain_jim @ Sep 15 2006, 08:00 PM) [snapback]320303[/snapback]</div> Yes. As far as I know it's just a Toyota Key. Any locksmith should be able to cut it on a standard blank.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Plain_jim @ Sep 15 2006, 05:00 PM) [snapback]320303[/snapback]</div> A spare cut key is the only way to get into your car if the 12v battery is dead. I have had one hidden on my car since day one. It is a reguler Toyota key blank and can be cut by any locksmith.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Plain_jim @ Sep 15 2006, 08:00 PM) [snapback]320303[/snapback]</div> If you have the smart key system (which you do with Pkg. 5) it won't let you lock the keys in the car (assuming you haven't turned off the SKS sensors). And since you don't need to put the key in the "ignition", both key & fob stay in your pocket. So, if they're both in your pocket, do you really need a spare?
You can get the same little key with your cut for about $4 at the Toyota dealership. I liked the little key, and the factory one worked better than the hardware store one that I had made, so I bought two of the real ones and hid one on the car with a magnet (shhhh).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Sep 15 2006, 11:03 PM) [snapback]320380[/snapback]</div> When I bought Barb's Prius in early 2005, Toyota sent me two blank plastic credit card keys. Each is a credit card size and thickness with a key outline cut into it. You have to have the pattern cut into it - my dealer's parts department did it for free. I had one cut for my 2006. They bend the key out from the card to cut it, but didn't separate it from the rest of the card. I tried it and it works fine. I just bent the key back into the card and it takes up no more space than a regular credit card in my wallet. The key is a bit thicker than the rest of the card and has some metal in it. When I bought my 2006, Toyota got cheap and didn't send me anything. No key HSD key ring, no credit card keys. I suspect you could get one at your dealer's parts department and have it cut to match your little metal key. That way you have something designed to be carried in a wallet. - Tom
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PA @ Sep 15 2006, 09:02 PM) [snapback]320330[/snapback]</div> Perhaps not (I'm not eager to try it). But I'm sure I remember warnings about not leaving the fob in the car and then pressing the door-lock button, although I can't find 'em now. Besides, for the cost of a cut Toyota key, it's a good "sleep at night" accessory, and I sleep poorly enough as it is. I'm writing this at 3:32 local time!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Plain_jim @ Sep 16 2006, 03:32 AM) [snapback]320462[/snapback]</div> As mentioned, it's only for SKS equipped models. But, when we go out and my wife leaves her purse with her fob in the car, It beeps in annoyance when I try to lock it. Then she sighs in annoyance, gets the fob out of her purse and makes me put in in my pocket. Then she gripes at me when I forget to give it back to her.