I have keyless entry, and would like to "stash" a spare key somewhere on the frame in case I loose my smart key while hiking or hunting. Does anyone know of a way to have a key cut for the door with a chip in it that doesn't "transmit" all of the time? This key could be held to the start button once you were in the car to start it in case of emergency.. I could purchase a spare smart key and turn it off or take the battery out, but that is an expensive proposition.

I took the physical metal key out of my second fob, hid it on the outside of the vehicle....I then took the FOB, removed the battery, wrapped battery in tape and hid both (together) inside the vehicle.

If you have key-start ignition - may be some hardware store has Toyota blanks. Couple years ago they had.

My 2004 doesn't have the push to start but here's a thought. I was having a locksmith replace a smart key for me. He cut a regular blank to make sure it would work, then cut the smart key and gave me the regular blank too. It will do anything the smart key will, except start the car.

I hid my courtesy key in the car and I keep the regular key in my pocket. If anyone takes my keys (again) or I lose them somewhere, I can get into the car with that regular key and use the courtesy key to get home. The regular key is just like having a quarter in my pocket and has been very handy when I needed something out of the car and didn't have my smart key with me, like when I'm home washing the car and needing to get inside for something.

Have you given any thought to keeping a smart-key inside a faraday pouch/box while "hidden" somewhere on underbody? That should eliminate the possibility of the vehicle sensing the key when stashed underneath

One of those along with a magnetic (or hard mounted) combination lock box seems like it would fit the bill?


Like this: https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Faraday-TICONN-Premium-
Protector/dp/B07MDF5TX9?th=1
add this: SentrySafe Compact Portable Security Box Safe P005C Combo Lock, 5-15/16"W x 8"D x 2-5/8"H, Black

Certainly easier and much cheaper than getting another key made, etc?

For my Toyota RAV4, the smart key can be put into sleep mode so it cannot be used to start the car, and does not transmit a signal to unlock doors, etc. In the owners manual it is called battery saving mode (the key battery, not the car battery).

Perhaps the 4Runner keys have the same feature. Look in your owners manual.

For the RAV4 key, to enter the sleep mode you press the unlock button twice while holding down the lock button. A confirmation is flashed on the LED.

On the RAV4 forum, many people have used this feature; they put the key into sleep mode, leave it in the car, and carry a mechanical key to unlock the doors. Upon returning, they unlock the doors with the mechanical key, and take the smart key out of sleep mode.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3789399-post9.html

I forgot to subscribe to this thread, and I thought it was gone, so I started another one. Chalk it up to my inexperience .

Thanks for all of the information, Looks like the best way is to get a smart key , program it yourself, have it cut , turn it off and put it in the front of the car in your favorite hiding spot.

I am going to close this thread, please see the other thread, lots of good info there

key fob for pushbutton start.