Mechanical key for backup

... add another hundred bucks for us folks being in California.

 

Your California exchange rate isn't that bad.

 

Welcome to the "republic" of California! Everything is higher here. I must be lacking common sense, because I should've moved away from here about 30 years ago. Now I can't afford to go. I don't know how all these millions of illegals can afford the rent! Being on a very modest fixed income in retirement, I struggle just to pay food and utilities and insurance.

Probably a bad choice to buy a new Prius. I should've went for the 1982 used ford pick up truck.

 

It would be sad to spend retirement stuck with a car you don't like. Sounds like you'd be happier to sell it for something you enjoy more.

-Chap

 

Thanks Chap, but actually the Prius is the least of my concerns. I'm happy with it. Oddities and all.
However, I do wish I had waited a few months longer until the prices came down more. Or, just bought the basic TWO model and I could've saved $3000.

 

I live in CA and only got one fob with my Prius. I did the eBay route spent $85 and then it was $125 to get it programmed and have key cut. A dealer did quote $485 for the same thing.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I had my only key fail a few months after buying the Prius.i ordered 2 brand new keys on eBay from a Toyata dealer

SM-G800H using PriusChat mobile app

 

I bought two brand new key on eBay from an Atlanta Toyota dealer. $99.00 each and no California 9.9% tax. I upgraded my AAA membership to the Plus level and call the AAA for locksmith service. The AAA locksmith in San Jose said the cost to program a key was $100 and up to 5 keys. To bad the Prius only allows 2 keys max but that is maybe a good security feature after all. The AAA uses mobile locksmiths that usually don't cut keys. I went to two hardware stores where they would not cut my keys. I went to CVS pharmacy where they just cut the keys for the price of the standard car key price, just $2.19. There is nothing special about the door key only, it's a brass key chrome plated. I do recommend buying from a dealer on eBay because the come with a warranty. I also bought the rubber protectors from eBay and a leather cases. The key that came with the car had a broken button and so there was a hole in the key fob so I suspect that is why it failed. A new key fob shell is also on eBay for about $15 so I also recommend not ignoring damaged key fob cases.

SM-G800H using PriusChat mobile app

 

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Considering that cost, and the uncertainties, I'd be inclined to just use a dealership, let them do the complete thing. I looked up my email with our dealership service manager, when I'd misplaced one fob (I eventually found it), what he said:

Hi Mandel

FIND that key!
The transmitter and key (cut to code)
Is 372.40 plus taxes
(can be order the same day)
dp

And then, when I asked for some clarification:

For a key fob depending on the model there is some programming charges from 35-80 depending on model and what is required (don’t lose it!
dp

So maybe around $425 (Canadian Funds). Something to bear in mind too: you're not dealing with two third parties, both of whom might be difficult to deal with if the fob doesn't work. Go into the dealership, you're paying for something, and they will keep at it until that's realized.

 

A lot of PriusChatters buy a Mini VCI (on eBay or the like) and run the software on an old, expendable laptop that is not used for anything important (since the Mini VCI products come from very low priced offshore sellers and you might wonder what else comes with them if you have other important work on your laptop).

You can get about ten Mini VCIs for the price you were just quoted to program your key, sell the other nine, and keep one to do the programming, which takes about five minutes.

-Chap

 

Trust me, I can relate to admiration for the old days of turn key ignitions, san's keyless entry fobs and push button starts.

But sometimes we embellish the old days.

Ignitions can and did break down. They can be defeated by car thieves, easily. Outside turn key door locks, wore out and in the winter can freeze.
Fail to operate could/did and does happen with the more primitive system.

Electronic key fobs, keyless entry, and push button start...all may seem complicated, and surely replacement of these elements far more expensive than simply having a key cut.
But for the most part, reliability seems very good.

I don't think there is any long term moving backwards.
I think more and more vehicles will come with these things either standard or a relatively inexpensive option.

The day's of running down to your local hardware shop and having a singular $3 key cut that will open your car door and start your vehicle are rapidly coming to an end.

And despite the expense of duplication or replacement of the electronic evolution, I think it's a good thing.

 

I had a traditional ignition key mechanism get increasingly balky, sometimes sticking in the "start" position. Procrastinated too long, it ended up near-totally sticking, eventually toasted an expensive starter motor.

 

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Proabably too late to this conversation but, I bought a used Prius 2012 that came with only one key. I forced the Salem NH dealer to give me a second key - he sent me to a place in Lowell MA. If you still need this information, PM me. cost was about $200 (dealer covered the first time).

Used them again for the time my spouse lost one of the key FOBs for our other prius.

Total time at shop 15 min - 1h 15min depending on wait.

I still have to try to get a mechanical key done though.

 

If you price out a replacement lock cylinder assembly (which comes with two matching mechanical keys, IIRC), it might be competitive with getting new key blanks and having them cut. It's an easy replacement, with the benefit (on a used car) that any of the old keys out running around somewhere won't still open the car.

Gone are the days when you'd have to replace four door cylinders plus the trunk and ignition cylinder to rekey a car. Now there's just one, in one door.

-Chap