Backup for lost fob

[DanBaier]

I have (I think) a SR-5 Limited - with the smart start. So, my question is what happens if I'm off road and drop the fob somewhere and can't find it. Out of luck?

What about taking the second fob, removing the battery & key. The key goes in a magnetic holder outside somewhere where I can retrieve it and the fob with uninstalled battery are somewhere on the inside.

Is there a downside to this? Say in a year, if I needed to, I assembled the spare fob / battery. Would I still be able to start the vehicle?

Maybe there's a simpler solution?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[MSinDC]

You have a Limited. They didn't give you two? I'd imagine you're in the same boat as me if I lost my keys...

 

[DanBaier]

They did give me two - I'm asking if the second one can be used as a backup - keep the key part in a magnetic case outside the vehicle and keep the fob (with battery removed - so no one can just pull open the door and drive off) inside until (if) I need it. The question boils down to can I just reinsert the battery and use the second fob in such a case? Or would it not work due to the need for reprogramming or some other reason?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[MSinDC]

They did give me two - I'm asking if the second one can be used as a backup - keep the key part in a magnetic case outside the vehicle and keep the fob (with battery removed - so no one can just pull open the door and drive off) inside until (if) I need it. The question boils down to can I just reinsert the battery and use the second fob in such a case? Or would it not work due to the need for reprogramming or some other reason?

Gotcha, well I have no idea since I don't have the proximity key but it seems like it would be pretty easy to test it out..

 

[nglayton]

They did give me two - I'm asking if the second one can be used as a backup - keep the key part in a magnetic case outside the vehicle and keep the fob (with battery removed - so no one can just pull open the door and drive off) inside until (if) I need it. The question boils down to can I just reinsert the battery and use the second fob in such a case? Or would it not work due to the need for reprogramming or some other reason?

Thanks,

Dan

If you have 2 and you pull one apart to stash in a hide-a-key, you've already lost one....unless you check it's location after every single trip, your risking it getting lost before you ever lose the one you use daily. Not a good plan IMHO, the odds of losing your hidden key are greater than losing your daily key.

Not to mention, you would need to water proof you hide-a-key because water and electronics don't mix well. All the road vibrations won't do it any good either.

 

[jturner0485]

I Would just make a dummy door key with no starting ability and tie strap it under the truck somewhere high. Keep your reg key hidden somewhere in the truck. I agree that the magnet key treys are junk and the first speed bump and it's gone.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I have (I think) a SR-5 Limited - with the smart start. So, my question is what happens if I'm off road and drop the fob somewhere and can't find it. Out of luck?

What about taking the second fob, removing the battery & key. The key goes in a magnetic holder outside somewhere where I can retrieve it and the fob with uninstalled battery are somewhere on the inside.

Is there a downside to this? Say in a year, if I needed to, I assembled the spare fob / battery. Would I still be able to start the vehicle?

Maybe there's a simpler solution?

Thanks,

Dan

SR5 Limited? What is that, do you mean SR5 Premium? (why does Toyota need to make this crap so confused with sub-trims...)

By "Smart Start" I am assuming you mean a Smart Key system, in which case if you lose your keyfob you need another Smart Key to start the vehicle (much like if you lost your physical key in a non-Smart Key vehicle.) You could pull the battery out of the Smart Key and store it in a waterproof container and still use it to start the vehicle (Toyota Smart Key systems are built so that even if the remote entry function of the Smart Key dies/fails you can still use the RFID chip to start the vehicle by holding the fob over the Start button until the light turns Green, useful with dead key fobs.) The issue comes later down the line if you add new keys as most likely if you do not provide the spare fob during programming it's ID will be erased.

You could leave the battery inside the fob, but you'll need to get a shielded bag and/or case for the fob as the vehicle will sense the keyfob in proximity to the vehicle otherwise.

I Would just make a dummy door key with no starting ability and tie strap it under the truck somewhere high. Keep your reg key hidden somewhere in the truck. I agree that the magnet key treys are junk and the first speed bump and it's gone.

If you just need a key to get in the vehicle and unlock it, this is a good idea; though I believe all of our Smart Key fobs are now laser cut, so a Dealership would have to most likely order the physical key itself.

 

[1engineer]

Hitch safe.

 

[RedSled]

Here is a pic.

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