My son showed me this channel and I’m learning so much already from your videos ! Never knew one key was a valet key all the years I ve had it. Thanks!
Thanks for producing another great talk. This one was a fine example of your ability to take a complex system and explain both the system and the concepts behind it in terms that those of us who aren't professional auto mechanics can find informative and entertaining,..
Great video , I’m a professional locksmith of 20 plus years. Almost everything you said was perfectly accurate…. I can do all Toyota transponders and smart keys to present day. The old sienna’s , 4Runners, Avalons etc. the computers behind the glove box or in the sequoias case I think behind the cluster. Those can be reflashed by the right guy don’t need full replacement. I’m about your age , my first Toyota love was the mk3 Supra turbo too, had 2 , one AT, one MT. Then moved on to driving the Lexus LS for the last 16 years. (My 2004 LS 430 in mercury metallic with grey leather and the modem luxury package was the greatest car ever !) still not sure why I sold it … the wife is kinda crazy and said it was too big. So here we go here comes the GS! Last year kinda went back to my roots and got a 17 GS 350 f-sport RWD. What a great modern day Supra sedan if you will. The all weather RX 350 sixteen model year is the other member of the fleet besides the chevy express work horse. Love your channel I’m glad your doing what you love and getting paid by google with all your views ….!
This video should be required watching for all Toyota owners. Wow, so much great information about 'keys'. I've never heard the phrase 'Brick Your Car' either. Can you imagine that happening to you?...The every ECU in the vehicle is locked down. What a nightmare. I own a 2019 Avalon XLE, by the way. ONE THING: There is a small physical key built into the smart key for my model. Operators Manual pages, 112 and 452,453. Use the mechanical key for access, then hold the smart key close to the start/stop button as described. It should work even if the smart key battery is dead. Thanks a lot~!
I’ve seen the bricked car situation after an amateur locksmith tried to program keys. Once you find a good locksmith that knows what they are doing stick with them. They are becoming harder to find but there’s still many locksmiths that have vast experience and know their trade well.
I believe that holding the key to the start button (when the battery in the key is dead) uses NFC (near field communication). The signal transmitted from the car is used to provide electrical power to the chip in the key so it can respond.
It can't be NFC. I think it is just an inductive coil being powered by the area around the START button. I say this in a similar manner that the sPen in a Samsung Galaxy Note powers the stylus whenever it is near the screen.
Can some one answer my question. I have 98 3rd gen 4runner with all original keys missing. Right now I have one dumb key for the door and one for the engine and the security system is off. Can I get a new programable keys and reprogram one or will that BRICK the car? I don't believe there are no smart chips for the 98 3rd gen. Thx
What you've described is essentially NFC - an inductor picks up a signal which is used to power a circuit. The powered circuit transmits a code. An HID badge at the door for a control access system does the same thing. So does a vehicle tag. When the vehicle approaches toll and the barrier is lifted.
I bought a smart key for our first 3rd generation Prius from an online remote and key store that had given me great service, but it simply wouldn't program. The dealer said it looked like the key had been used with another car before, and now I know what that means. Fortunately the online store accepted it back.
I had a costumer that went to buy a smart key for a sienna 2019, it looked original to the eye but that key was a counterfeit and this men paid almost the original prize of one, the smart key only worked to open the car but didn’t start it. Always be careful with what you buy online. Also he couldn’t get a refund for that remote.
Ahmed these public service videos are so useful, I really appreciate your effort to bring these important & overlooked details to light, Thank You! .....Javi G.
I went to this Chevy dealer for a pre owned car. They were charging 900 extra to give you 2nd key, tint and wheel locks. I walked out. The car was already tinted, wheel locks were already on and they held 2nd key in the back. Shame on these up sale tactics.
I also had a bad experience buying a Prius from a Chevy dealership. They told us that they could not find the second key until after we had already signed the papers and bought a key replacement insurance policy. On top of that they had performed an oil change prior to our purchase which they severely botched. They over torqued the drain plug bolt and left the oil filter loose. Oil was covering the underside of the car by the time that I changed the oil for the first time (3k miles). Plus I had to get a 2 ft breaker bar to loosen the drain plug.
@@lamar7327 first question I asked how many keys do you have you're going to have to give me at least two they have the scan tool in the back that can make another key easily and cheaply
@@Lunas2525 I have had GM cars that had the chip on the key. You could not give me a GM vehicle. It doesn't matter with them who would want to steal a GM car ? I kissed the ground when I was free of them.😆
Great video! Did you mention how to turn off the smart key? Hold down the lock button and press the unlock twice. The light will flash twice and that’s the indication that it is off. This saves battery life for say second key that is not used much and also doesn’t allow scammers to interact with the key. Just pushing any button will turn it back on. Going to the car when off car will not do anything. You have to push a button to wake it back up. Thanks!
Probably not, but better safe than sorry. Besides, idk if just being in the pouch will conserve the battery as much as putting it into battery saver mode will
@@StephenHeuman - most definitely it’ll conserve the battery by turning it off. I was going to buy one of the pouches, but since I use it for my spares, which I don’t use a whole lot I’ll just use the button sequence to turn them off now. Gotta love all this technology.
Thank you bro for all your videos. I only buy Toyota and lexus vehicles. My lexus ls430 2001 has 327000 miles. Original engine and transmission original starter and alternator. Just regular maintenance. And change the timing belt every 100,00
The smart remotes toyota models that have the HD radio / Sirius XM can remote start your vehicle. Press your lock button then press your lock button again then press and hold your lock button until the light on your vehicles turn on then your vehicle will start.
This video was perfect timing for me. I just bought a 2012 4 Runner SR5 that uses a chip key. The dealer only gave me 1 key. I ordered 2 key fobs off Ebay and was planning getting them programmed but I found a web site that shows you how to program your new key fob after you have a locksmith cut the key by using the original key fob and by inserting into the ignition and following a series of gas pedal and brake pedal presses. Is this actually possible?
AMD, I prefer an ordinary key with an aftermarket alarm added. I would rather pay 5 bucks to replace a key than 10-20 times that amount. We see a lot of high end Toyota and Lexus models stolen in this area with cloned 'Smart' keys.
@@TheCarCareNut I can't explain how they do it but a lot of 4Runners, Tacomas and GXs are simply driven away from the owner's property and eventually shipped overseas.
@@John_Ridley There are a lot of old school people that think like that.. that may be okay if you want to buy a cheaper or vehicle.. All of the nicer vehicles SUVs and cars and trucks have push button start and touch entry.. I have to have that as well as homelink and most of the other available options.. I also want the parking sensors on the bumpers that make the car stop automatically if you're backing up and a car is approaching and you do not see it. My car will even tell me if there is ice or if the roads are slick.. I have got used to all that and I like it..
🙏Thank you for this. By far the best explanation on the web. You are GREAT at this! Seriously. Everything about you: Your knowledge, your skill as a teacher, your personality, your integrity and your onscreen presence. You may make more money here, but you should be on TV doing this. It could feed your online traffic, too!
Hey Iam a returning subscriber I liked this video, but you never mention the little mechanical keys that are hidden in some smart keys. Maybe you can make a video on that aspect? Thanks you for your channel. Will be looking forward for the next vid
In my country we mostly get used cars from Japan, that come with only 1 key. We pay around $50 for a 2nd smart key, which is a used one. The lock smith wipes all key fobs and programs the original and used fob to the car. The last one I had done was my 2012 Toyota Voxy (ZRR70). They do have new blancs for the mechanical key that sits in the fob. But sometimes they 'touch up' the used key and it works on all the locks. I usually have my fob in my front pocket with 1 of my 2 cellphones in it. But then the car will not unlock until I remove the cell from my pocket. But when I put the other cell in that pocket, the car has no problem detecting the fob. I guess it has to do with the different frequencies of the 2 providers and the smartkey fob.
You are the Man 👏👏👏👏Yup C-HR wouldn't Start 😲Been playing with central head display /my Toyota account 🧐appears I un ticked something to do with locks 😱Yes held SMART key on button Restart Put a tick in the box for locks 🥳
2018 Camry push to start, Well, i had questions I was going to leave for you - how about after market remotes, how about used remotes and many more. You answered all of my questions. As a 35 year retired American airlines mechanic to a crew chief inspector, I couldn't appreciate your entire presentation more . No questions about it.
Find a buddy with a good scan tool You can program Tell them to turn off unused keys Or your key so no one can grab your program code and install it in a blank new So many crooks are scanning for key codes now, turn your key off only takes a second Turn off hold lock, hit unlock twice Thanks much always learning from your videos
Thanks for dedicated your times to explain these important info about these Toyota fob keys. You are a very kind person. Many's thanks for your info. Take care,🙏 you and yours family's 👍!
The gen II Prius could have an additional new mechanical chipped key (for a Corolla?) programed to it w/o tools thru a process that became known as the "chicken dance". The key was cut to unlock the door and you would hold the key head next to the button and push to start. This made a great hide-a-key because it would not interfere with the smart key locking system. Can that be done with any of the newer generation Priuses?
I’m having trouble with my 2007 Toyota Avalon XLS. I already spent a considerable amount of money on the ECU replacement. I am frustrated with the situation. I speak with the service advisor and explain my concerns. why after ECU replacement did not fix the issue now the trunk doesn't open with the fob. I call the service advisor and he told me bring the car back so I did. Then he told me he need the MASTER mechanic to see what is going on this is after I paid $1,200 already. So it will cost me more money and time...I just stop and drove home...
Just watched your video and learned alot about my mechanic key fob. But one thing I was looking for is what do you do with feature to open and lock your door stops working. I already changed the battery and it still is not working.
Excellent video as usual. Have a non related question, several days ago, I engaged the 4WD into 4H moving around 15 miles/ hr. When I did, a horrible noise started, sounded like rocks tumbling. I immediately returned it to the 2H setting,noise stopped. When I returned home and as the 4runner was stationary it went into 4H without any noise. Needless to say I have an appointment set at the dealership but what should I expect, in your opinion ? As always thank you, very much.
@@TheCarCareNut only when I was moving but, didn't wait to see if it would engage, I immediately returned it to the 4H . Standing still no noise and it engages smoothly without any noise. It was very loud and honestly scared me, lol. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and use your valuable time. Appreciated very much. As always thank you.
@@TheCarCareNut won't engage if moving, engaged at stand still, made horrible noise as soon as I moved, noise remained, so turned off and back into 2H, continued to make a rattling noise, stopped re-engage then before moving dis- engaged, noise went away for now. Transfer case ?
Thanks. Very important video. I bought my car from a small local dealer. Not a Toyota dealer. I did not get a second key. That was 5 years ago. Should I go back there and ask them. That was too long ago.
@@lukespack Locksmith charges $240 for an aftermarket unit programmed. Dealer charged $300 programmed. Or you can buy an aftermarket unit on ebay and have dealership program and cut you a new key to code for $100.
In the Diagnosis and Problems part when he said to go into the car and turn the key on after a jumped dead car battery, does he mean put the car in the "ON" position and wait a couple of minutes before trying to start the car?
As an LS430 owner and fanatic, I am hurt you didn’t mention the LS smartkey system…. Just kidding. Ridiculously informative for my own sake, even though I have a dumb key 2003 LS. I just like Toyota knowledge.
Excellent one, as usual :) A question: what are the chances someone records key2car communication on parking lot and gets access to the car based on it? is that a real possibility, or not realistic to happen?
@@njsongwriter but the smart keys transmit a signal regardless.. best to use a key fob signal blocker if you want the best security to prevent theft, or disable wireless entry internally through techstream
My 2007 Prius key won't open the door or start the car wirelessly. It worked before the car's two batteries died as we were gone for 18 months. Someone was supposed to keep the batteries up but they didn't. I have a new key battery but even Toyota dealership couldn't program the key. Obi-Wan Carcare Guy, you're my only hope.
Done it both ways. I got another key and did the "chicken dance" as they call it and it does with when it's pluged in but not remotely or wirelessly. I've had to use the key for two years. Would love not to have to. Thanks for taking the time to answer. I've given you good marks.
I have a 2017 Toyota 4 Runner. What drives me crazy is how sensitive the open/unlock sensitivity is. I unlock my 4 Runner load my hands up with whatever and go to open the door and it has locked for some reason. The dealer says there is nothing they can do about it. Other than that it is a great vehicle.
You should be able to go to the settings on your car computer in the dash and set it for how long of time before it locks back Also be able to set it for what doors unlock when you unlock the driver's door you can set it to all or one On a 17 read your owner's manual It's all there I'm taking it you don't have the push button ignition?
I used my Maxi on my 2017 tacoma smart key very explanatory. I deleted the missing key an added the feebay key I got, an interesting sequence to do it.
Very good program, thank you. I have a 06 XLS Avalon I just purchased. The trunk button on the car or the button on the fob will NOT open the trunk. Can you help?
In my remote the CR2032 battery so far last about 2 years in my 2019 Avalon. I can tell the battery is getting weak when the trunk only pops up when I am close to the car like 10 feet away. With a new battery the trunk will pop up at 100 yards away.
The problem with the smart key fobs, passive unlocking, and the push button start is that the vehicle is then extremely vulnerable to auto theft. The Relay Attack method can be used to unlock and start the vehicle without a key fob in the vehicle by a criminal. The criminal can also connect a box to the vehicle to program a blank key. Perhaps the best way to protect against the weak security of the new passive unlock and push button start vehicles is to have a kill switch installed, a passcode installed, an after market alarm installed, and vehicle tracking installed. The auto manufacturers are clearly not concerned about the growing auto theft problems with their weak security of the passive unlocking and push button start.
I'm not a fan of these smart keys. We have a 2020 Corolla with the engine Start button. Now rather then carrying a small key in my pocket I need to carry a much larger remote control brick. If I want to listen to the radio in accessory mode without turning the engine on, now instead of simply moving a mechanical ignition key to the Assoc position now have to go thru multiple steps, impossible for a geezer to remember without referring to the user manual. I consider this a step backward in user friendliness. BTW I didn't know about the LED indicator on the remote control, good tech tip to keep in mind. Guess I missed that info skimming the 500 page user manual.
I felt the same way too, since I used the good old key even since I started driving. I had a real key for my 2018 Camry, but when I upgraded to the 2019 Avalon and the smart key, I would never go back now. And after seeing and hearing this video, it all makes sense how the entire subsystem works. It's incredible engineering. Just don't buy a 2nd hand key if you lose one. Spend the money and save the stress.
The thing i don't like about them is the ability to operate the car when the key leaves the vehicle. I was at the gas station a few weeks ago and a girl with a (i believe it was a new corolla) was sitting at the pump next to me. She said she dropped her boyfriend off and he had the key, she went to get gas, shut the car off, and she was out of luck... I offered help but she said he was on his way. I always get paranoid that i'll stop for gas and suddenly remember i left my wallet at home, this is a worse version of that nightmare!
1st off Might I say how much I have learned from and enjoy viewing your channel since discovering you before pulling the trigger on my new Sienna. 2nd My question is... My Dealership Delviered me my Brand new 2023 Toyota Sienna with only 1 key even though it is my wife and I's only car. Apparently Toyota is having a shortage and delivering some vehicles with only 1 key? I looked online in reddit in the SIenna forum so I know I'm not the only one. My question is could a dumb key be programmed and added so that it can be held agains the push to start to start the car? will that transponder in that hold a Vehicle ID and Key Id and could that be added to the system so I don't need to spend $600 until they get me the 2nd key that should have come with my car?
So why is the first gen smart key bad? Lack of security features? Chicken dance to program keys? A KISS way to turn off the key (probably my favourite feature)? Imoboliser in the fob? I get that it's not checking for a closed door(which i'd say is a good thing for the spare parts industry when you have 1 lift and multiple cars to disassemble).
The first generation smart key is not simple to work with from the service side. Programming it typically fails multiple times and you need to program the smart key function and immobilizer separately which is often not done right which leads to issues with the key not being picked up right
I got enlightened by your video and I actually noticed I've probably made a mistake, I got a 2006 Toyota corolla but it only came with the grey key which I believe is the Valet key. It actually starts the car but doesn't open the glove box and trunk. Please what can I do to get another key
I bought a used 2007 Corolla over a year ago with just the master key at first because the owner couldn't find the extra key or the valet key as I've just heard of today. When I got the valet key, I noticed that its tip is different than that of the master key. I didn't know though that the valet key can't open the trunk.
Another issue that will cause battery problems is leaving the prox key in the car - the prox key will continually communicate with the car computers and they will never go to sleep and if you leave the key in the car for a couple of days the car battery will run down along with the key remote battery...
what happens if you drive down the road and the immobilizer activates? Or a fault starts. Surely it should continue irrespective to the smart key status
Ok, Explain this one to me: As you had mentioned, the car is supposed to shut off after 10 min of it not detecting the key inside the car. 2013 Prius Three.. I can actually leave the car parked with the engine running, (key is with me) . And come back more then 10 mins later, car would still running. Dash indicates KEY NOT DETECTED, but does go out after I get back into the car.. Yet the car is technically still running, it has NEVER required a restart. So what's going on?
Most important is to use a case for your key and use the eye on that case to connect to a key hanger, DO NOT USE the eye on the smartkey it self to connect to a key hanger. That eye is part of a physical key sitting in the smartkey and that physical key CAN detach itself. It happend to me and I was very lucky to find my smartkey back when I was in a place far away from home. TOYOTA if you read this, FIX IT!!
YOU ARE100% RIGHT. As far as I'm concerned, Toyota owes me for a fob replacement, plus an apology for a totally defective fob/key design which seems to be aimed at making people lose fobs. I bought a new '17 Prius Prime and lost a fob within the first couple weeks by having it on a key ring clipped to my belt loop. Something (probably leaning against something, making another key hit it) pressed the release catch, and UNLIKE OLDER PRIUS FOBS, there is zero friction holding the key in the fob, so the fob simply drops off. On my 05 Prius, you need to pull hard on the key to get it out of the fob. On the 17, gravity is more than enough, the fob drops like a rocket the second you touch the catch, and if you don't hear it hitting the ground, it is gone. I had the other fob in my pocket, so I didn't end up stranded, but having a 2 week old car and being in the "down to my last fob" situation was not fun.
@@EfficientRVer yes, that button is much to easy to reach, needs way too little pressure to release the physical key and most of all they should have the eye for the keyring placed on the body of the fob , not in the physical key.
As an automotive locksmith. We can use the erase function. It’s $50-$175 depending on the year make and model plus if we’re going to you or if you’re coming to us. We re-flash used smart keys with OEM software using aftermarket tools. We charge $50.00 to re-flash your smart key. We also goto dealerships and buy used smart keys lost by sales for $5.00-$20.00. We also can re-flash ECU’s in older car like that 98 Sienna to factory standby mode and program 2 keys. We charge $400.00 to reflash the ECU and $200.00 Labour to un-install and reinstall. Some people mail us the ECU and we reflash them. Lastly Gen 5 smart keys have a new type of encryption on the ECU. We can pay Toyota $65.00 to get 48 hour access only after being vetted prior and that can take months. OR we can pay some password guy $20 per code. Even though we have access to deal codes it’s ultimately cheaper to get the code through a encryption cracker. Because we never have more than one per week newer than 2018.
Mr. I got the same car as your background. I have two three button smart keys. One key works perfectly, however the other key has strange issue. The keyless entry function works fine but all the buttons don't work. Changing battery doesn't help. The led indicator on the key flashes when I press the buttons but car doesn't respond. Do you know what could be the possible issue and how to fix? I went to TOYOTA dealer but dealer asked for 400 euro to make a new key.😂
I believe in the ultimate in security-have a car old enough and bland enough to not tempt thieves. In my case that is a 2000 Echo. Reliable transportation and nothing more. For such car, a dumb key is fine.
Great video - I am an EE, so the term "oscillator" as used to describe a component in the key system seems strange to me. Anyway, I have a 2007 Toyota Camry V6. I have three keys (2 masters and 1 valet) The valet and one master work just fine. The second master (the "bad key" will do the following: Open and Lock Doors; Open the trunk; make panic noise; and remote start the car. The one thing the bad key will not do is reliably start the car. The bad key has a new battery. It sometimes takes me ten of fifteen tries to start the car with the bad key. Is there anything I can do to make this key work correctly. I would sell this car before I would take it to any of the local Toyota dealers (you sound like an exception to this problem). Can I defeat the remote start feature which turns off the car after I remote start the car (as soon as I put the key in the ignition the engine shuts off. I have several oscilloscopes, an amateur radio license, and I am just curious what is wrong with this key or the car.
Hi! Thank you for watching. Could you elaborate further? I didn’t understand your question. Are you trying to replace a 4th generation smart key battery?
I have a smart key. And I have the other one too. But in the second I do not have the physical key made of metal that is connected inside the smart key. Do I need to worry about duplicating it soon? And do I need an original? Another question in another matter is it possible to change the odometer in the Toyota Sienna 2014 From miles to kilometers?
Hi! You can make a copy of the key separately than the smart key. No rush in doing this as the dealership can make a copy even if you don’t have the original. Only way to change mph to Kms is to change the cluster itselg
Hello. Thanks . I do not want to change the mph just the number on the small screen that counts how many miles the vehicle has come. I know that in 2016 it can be easily changed in the settings of the screen
My dad's 2004 Mini Cooper has one of those fancy immobilizer keys and it cost him $300 for a new key and $80 to program it to the car and he had to take back to the dealership which is 200 miles away to do the procedure. 😮
I watched someone program keys like that using the xTool D7 which only costs about $350 when on sale periodically but an additional accessory is required for that model. I believe it's KC100 that costs an additional $300 however you would have the ability to program as many keys as you like on pretty much any car now or in the future.
What happens if I start the car (2017 Highlander) and lock it manually with my keyfab manual key from the outside and leave - example I go 200-300 feet away into a mall because I want my A/C continue to run. Will it shut down?
If it's like my 17 Prius Prime, you'll need the manual key to get back into the running car. Locking the running car with the manual key disables the fob.
