> Hiding a key under a Prius with Smart Key usually doesn't work
> because the Prius detects the Smart Key and unlocks the car.
>
> Any suggestions?????
Put the key in a metal box.

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tmus@gtcinternet.com - 21 Jun 2005 12:05 GMT
I put my key in aluminum foil and the Toyota Service Manager told me to
take it out quick as it will destroy the chip.
I don't believe him, but took the key out (still works), until I find
out for sure.
I emailed Toyota with a very clear question and explanation and they
responded by telling me to look in their knowledge base at the
following 4 web pages:
Title: Prius - Tax Deduction
Title: Prius - Fuel Economy
Title: Timing Belt and Timing Chain
Title: Purchasing an Owner's Manual or Repair
Thanks Toyota. Typical treatment so far.
>I have always hidden a key under my car and I and my family have been
> saved many times by doing this.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> My Toyota dealer was of negative help.
Make a copy of the mechanical key (inside the Smart Key) and hide that under
the car. I'm surprised your dealer couldn't figure this out but then I have
a remarkable grasp of the obvious. :-)
tmus@gtcinternet.com - 21 Jun 2005 12:07 GMT
I don't see how that will work as the mechanical key only open's the
driver's door.
On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 08:27:45 -0700, tmus wrote:
> I have always hidden a key under my car and I and my family have been
> saved many times by doing this.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Hiding a key under a Prius with Smart Key usually doesn't work because
> the Prius detects the Smart Key and unlocks the car.
Take the battery out of the smart key. There are instructions in the
manual on how to do this for replacement. Slide the small mechanical key
out of the smart key. Hide the mechanical key outside of the car in a
hide-a-key box or whatever. Or, get a plastic card duplicate for your
wallet (free if you're an Auto Club member).
Hide the body of the smart key, with the battery removed, inside the car
somewhere. If you're locked out, open the driver's door with the
mechanical key, retrieve the smart key from its hiding place inside, and
insert it in the dashboard key slot. Drive to your dealer and be prepared
to pay big bucks for a replacement smart key.
tmus@gtcinternet.com - 21 Jun 2005 12:13 GMT
Removing the battery is something I hadn't thought of. The rest of your
suggested procedure was the same as what I did, except for putting the
key in aluminum.
However, I don't understand your saying about driving to the dealer and
paying big bucks. Why would I need a replacement smart key. Will my
replacement of the battery damage the Master Key?
dnorton - 21 Jun 2005 15:46 GMT
I think Jay is assuming that you lost your primary key, which is why
you needed the backup key. One then assumes that you would want to
revert to a primary and secondary key scenario?
Good thing about the Prius w/smart key is that it is difficult to lock
your key in the car, therefore the need to maintain a secondary key
on-car is somewhat moot. If you can't lock your keys in the car then
the only reason to need the backup is loss of the primary key, right?
Now that your down to one key, you need to get another - hence the trip
to the dealer.