Extra key for 2012 Prius Two

If you define "best" as guaranteed to be fully functional, I'd have to say the dealer is the only way to go. Of course, it will be the most expensive, too. And, you realize there is a mechanical key incorporated in the fob that is to unlock the doors in an emergency, such as dead battery in fob. Then the fob, even with a dead battery, can still start the engine by holding it near the Start button after pressing the brake pedal to start the security sequence.

 

all the best, this is the most complicated part of a prius, and why sellers who lose a key, sell the car instead of buying a second key.

 

Buy the mini-Vci cable and tech stream software for $39 on eBay, buy a new fob on Amazon, then go to town.

 

unfortunately, there is no clarification. of the hundreds of fob threads here, some have complete success, some have partial success, and most have no success. it is unclear why. you really have to decide whether you want to bite the bullet and shop dealers for the best price, or learn as much as possible about fobs and programming, and try the various and sundry methods described here, which in the end may or may not save you money, but not time.

 

Do post how it works out.

BTW, that's a great avatar!

 

That was the best route, cheapest and safest, and the one I went with, too, after 3 weeks of research. KeylessRide offers refund if you keep the fob inside the wrap. You don't need to take it out to program, but only after to have the key out to be cut. But to avoid the hassle of return, make sure the FCC # in the back matches with yours. If you have the A/C button on yours and the FCC # has AAB (instead of ACX as common) at the end, tell them you need one with the A/C button, not the "Trunk" since it comes with both choices. The "Trunk" is for the Highlanders.

Local dealers is out of the question and online dealers offer about the same price (fob and key) but no return. Buying the cable/software costs (you still have to have the key cut) more and no guarantee but it's good for the future need. Now that I know it can be done easily, I'll buy the cable next time.

 

I've been buying remotes from this ebay seller, hllokttyktty , for a while, great with support and whatnots, i think she ships from Chicago, but i'm not 100% sure, but I know the 12 or so I've ordered for different cars have all been great and if she doesn't have it listed just ask and she usually has it or can get it...... last 2 were for my rx8

 

where does she get them, china?

 

Ah, now I see. Thought it was you at a surly moment. And the hat is kinda surreal??

 

Actually I pop open the ones I get, they are either used or used guts in new plastic

 

interesting. i wonder how one goes about collecting used key fobs for sale.

 

i frequent my local honda store often, I'm a copier tech and work on their equipment, in one of the back rooms they have a 5 gallon bucket of keys and fobs from trade ins that got found after the cars were gone, i asked about them once what they do with them and they said that someone gives them $10 - $20 per fob every time the bucket gets full...

 

wow! so all the people here who get a used car with one key, the other one is in a bucket somewhere.