All you need to know about Toyota Keys Mechanical and Smart keys

A Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician shares All you need to know about Toyota keys for mechanical and Smart keys. Everything from basic operation theory, programming and diagnosis.

In this video I share information on Toyota keys. I start off with mechanical keys. I explain the difference between chip keys and non chip keys and how they related to the immobilizer. Also I show you how the key chip looks like and where it's located in the body of the key. Then I talk about the difference between valet keys and master keys.

Then we go into the Smart key system with a very brief explanation of what it does on the consumer side then we dive into how the system actually operates with the multiple layers of security to prevent theft.

We'll also talk about programming with detailed information straight from my experience doing this every day through my career at a Toyota dealership. We'll cover what types of programming there is. Also we'll cover what happens if you loose all your Toyota keys.

We'll touch briefly on some diagnosis tips including the no start issue following a dead battery on smart key Toyotas.

Lastly I said this in the video and I will say it here. Please have a 2nd key at all times. If you loose one of the keys make another copy so you never have to be faced with loosing all keys and having to tow the car.

If you use a locksmith make sure they are experienced and know what they are doing especially when you loose all keys because inexperienced ones can brick the car and make the repair much more expensive.

The information in this video applies to all Toyota models ( Corolla , Camry , CHR , Avalon , Sienna , Venza , Highlander , 4Runner , RAV4 , Land Cruiser , FJ Cruiser , Prius , Prius V , Prius C , Sequoia , Tacoma , Tundra , Corolla Cross , iM , Yaris and more) Excluding the 2020+ Supra, Toyota 86 and the Yaris IA. It also applies to Scion models ( IQ , XB , XA and tC) Also Applies to Lexus Models ( IS , ES , GS , LS , GX , RC , LC , RX and LX )

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0:00 Intro
0:46 Mechanical Keys
3:05 Smart Key Basics
3:57 Smart Key Operation
10:23 Smart Key Generations
13:14 Things you didn't know about smart key Toyotas
16:32 Key Programming Mechanical and Smart
23:20 Diagnosis and Problems
26:44 Please do this if you own a Toyota

[RastaJediX]

@The Car Care Nut I know that you actively worked at a dealership at the time of this video, and I just want to say how goddamn much respect I have for you when you're willing to tell us about backdoor and unofficial methods etc. I love that you want to present us with all of our options, explain the pros and the cons, and let us decide for ourselves. That's what mechanics should do anyways, but you're doing that on so many other levels than just "hey this is what's wrong with your car here's the pros and cons". You're honesty is truly inspiring. Can I please come and work for you? You have made me fall in love with Toyotas and I want nothing more than to learn absolutely everything I possibly can about them. I am a computer/electrical engineer with a knack and a passion for diagnostics in general.

[chasecollins]

Im an automotive locksmith and I can tell you it is very easy for a locksmith to make keys from an all keys lost situation on most Toyotas. It takes me 45 minutes tops to make regular chipped keys and prox smart keys. I will say you are correct on the first gen Prius, those are different. Aside from that I did learn a couple of things from this video.

[pinkypromise]

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!

[raphaelmahumane]

The best video about keys. Thank you for the information. Security issues on our vehicle is a great concern, so if you know you used your last money for that car, use every means to protect it, starting by looking after your keys, using tracking device, steering lock, kill switch and others, just to minimize the chances...even though we all know they can still take your car from you by force using a gun or any means, at least you have done something as a precaution.

[allykins]

This makes me feel so much better lol I haven't ever owned a NEW vehicle until this coming week. Buying a brand new TRD off-road premium 4runner and have been concerned about the new 'key' type. My last vehicle was a used rental car from 2007. A Nissan Sentra and it was very basic lol power locks and windows only. Before that I had bought a used 1995 sr5 4runner in high school. Loved both but they both are way technologically behind what I'm buying lol everything on this new one will be new to me. So I've been trying to educate myself before it is here from Japan. This video and several of your other videos have helped me so much!! Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[motogp]

Love your channel!! We are a family who drove only Toyota because they lasts forever as long as you keep them maintained. Learning so much from your videos! Ty!

[Locksmith]

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 ….!

[meganbond]

Thank you so much for explaining how to get the key to work without batter/dead battery. I would have been stuck all night, it was 2:30 am and I was stressing how to get home. Thankful i found your video that was VERY descriptive! I watched several others before this one, and they didn't help at all. You're the only one that showed all generations of the keys and what to do and how they work!! Thanks so much!

[sfecracker]

Early Toyota Sienna vans (as well as other Toyota models early 2000's) can be done by removing the ECU and flashing the 93C chip inside to allow replacement keys to be registered to the vehicle. You are correct the early Siennas cannot be done through OBD2 port. However, a well equipped auto locksmith like myself can flash that chip inside the ECU without the expense of replacing the ECU or any other parts. I have helped many many customers in an all keys lost situation with early Toyotas in this manner. My cost of this service would not total the car at all. Thanks for all your great, helpful videos. EZ-FLASHER is the tool I use to reset the 93C chip with. IF you have one of the early Toyotas with an early immobilizer system and only 1 registered key, a clone of your registered key can be made quite easily and much much cheaper than the cost to get you rolling again in an all keys lost situation. Model and year specific, not all cars the same... Transponder Pros

[ednovak]

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, ..

[pnoyryder]

Another great in informative video brother! Thank you! Had an incident with our 2011 Venza years ago when my wife dropped me off at work and she took off with keys still in my pocket as I drove first. We didn't notice the warning chime at that time telling us that the key was in my pocket and she drove off without it. So the car never shut off (which makes sense as that would be dangerous) but I wished Toyota programmed a display warning on the dash. I had to call her back and give her the key as I know once she has gotten to her job and parked the car she won't be able to restart it.

[MSCownage]

Your videos are priceless for me as a Toyota service advisor. Thank You!!

[itayrozenstein]

Great video, I'm a locksmith but I don't work on ignitions or car keys but as a Toyota fan and owner of 4 Toyotas it great information to know 👍😀😊

[mailmanjoe]

So great to learn. Definitely a useful video that people can continually come back to. 👌

[gailwind]

I learned so much watching this. Thanks for the information. I love your channel.

[spyderlogan]

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~!

[craigm.]

Great, great video! All part of the modern learning curve now. "Human factors" is the leading cause in most incident investigation findings. Don't lose your keys! (if you can help it)

[pzrfxe]

Thank you AMD for another great video. As I said many times, would be good to have more technicians as you are. Priceless.

[georgequintas]

Thank you very much for shinning the light on all dark areas of the Toyota world. job well done. I have watched many of your videos, all excellent.

[Johnnyk]

Another video with a well done explanation of how various key types work with the Toyota line. I would like to add something that may be useful to a DIY-er like myself in case there's someone reading this who would like to add an extra smart key or two, or replace a lost one.

@21:40, you say that used smart keys carry the ID# of the last car that the key was paired / programmed to match, and you say that prevents the car owner from buying a used key as an extra. However, there are used smart keys sold which have been cleared of the car ID#. This will allow a keyless start Toyota owner to reprogram the used key to function with the car. You must make sure that the item listing specifies that the car ID has been cleared!

I myself bought two keys to have as extras. When searching to buy a used key, you have to open the plastic case of one of the original keys, remove the little printed circuit board (pcb), and read the number of the main chip (I believe it's the biggest chip on the pcb.) Then choose a used key that HAS THE SAME CHIP! When looking for a used key, the seller listing should either have a good picture of the pcb showing that chip, or have that chip number listed in the item description!

As I said, I added two extra keys that way. I also used a copy of the Techstream software to help with the process. I didn't have to go a locksmith or the dealer to get my keys paired to my 2013 Venza, and saved myself $100 or $200. Perhaps even more $$ now, since my experience was about five yrs ago, in 2018.