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My sister has lost all but one key to her 2015 Prius C... what to do?

Discussion in 'Prius c Technical Discussion' started by scoot, Jul 20, 2022.

  1. scoot

    scoot Member

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    First of all, I _did_ search the forum and didn't find the answer. My sister keeps losing keys. Now she has one master key left and neither of the others. It's not a "smart key" - it's the kind you stick in the ignition and turn to start the car. Last time I checked, if she loses all of the keys, it's going to be $700 from Toyota to get her going again. Can anyone give me advice before she does this again? She is a poor person and I'm going to be the one who has to rescue her...

    thanks
    Scott
     
    #1 scoot, Jul 20, 2022
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    You're both in luck: the Prius c with the twist key is a very simple key, same as certain years of Corolla and Yaris, much cheaper than the smart keys for the big Prius. There are three parts: the metal key, the transmitter for lock/panic alarm, and the chip for the immobilizer.

    Pretty much any hardware store can handle this type of key duplication.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jul 20, 2022
    scoot likes this.
  3. PaulDM

    PaulDM Active Member

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    Buy an Apple air tag and put it on her key ting. That way if she loses it again you will have a location.
     
    #3 PaulDM, Jul 20, 2022
    Redline96 and scoot like this.
  4. scoot

    scoot Member

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    Thanks. I called a reputable locksmith who does transponder keys and he told me I needed two keys and the car to program another key. Was he mistaken?
     
    #4 scoot, Jul 23, 2022
  5. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    Yes, at least if a Toyota Techstream diagnostic system is used. According to the Repair Manual (more info), to register an additional key, “Customer must bring at least 1 key,” that is, a key that’s already working.

    If you also want to make any lost keys unusable, you need to bring all the registered keys, so they can be re-registered. That wouldn’t change anything in this situation, of course, since there’s only one key available.
     
    #5 Elektroingenieur, Jul 23, 2022
  6. scoot

    scoot Member

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    Any idea what I should expect to pay at Toyota?
     
    #6 scoot, Jul 25, 2022
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    $400. :unsure:
     
    #7 bisco, Jul 25, 2022
  8. Gale Hawkins

    Gale Hawkins New Member

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    Yesterday we bought a 2015 Prius C with one twist key. The Manual packet in the glove box does have a Key Number noted.

    Does have the key number help?
     
    #8 Gale Hawkins, Aug 21, 2022
  9. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    That key number will let a dealer or locksmith cut a new mechanical key- the part you stick into a lock and twist. That has nothing to do with any remote lock or immobilizer functions on the car.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 mr_guy_mann, Sep 13, 2022
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