Your Toyota Smart Key stopped working: What now?

 

If you drive a relatively new Toyota, then you're probably familiar with the Smart Key System. You may even have a car that has a convenient push button start feature, which makes getting things up and running easier than ever before. However, if you do have a vehicle with either one of these features, then you may have wondered at one point or another what happens if the key fob were to stop working. Toyota of Orlando is here with answers! 

What is the Smart Key System?

The Smart Key System allows you to unlock your car and start it without ever removing your car keys from your pocket or purse. As long as they're on your person, you can touch the sensors on the door handle to lock and unlock the car and then hit the push button start to get things up and running. 

Smart Keys run off of a battery, so it's always possible that the battery dies (or the key stops working for some other reason).  If this happens to you, you can still unlock your car; every Toyota Smart Key has a mechanical key inside of it that you can pull out and use in your physical door lock. But if you have a push button start car, how can you get it started when there's no ignition for you to insert the mechanical key in? Luckily, as long as you hold the key fob near the push button start, your car should still be able to fire up (even if the fob is dead). If it doesn't, then you may have an issue with the actual car battery, not the battery in your key. 

What happens if you lose your Toyota Smart Key, though? In this case, it's not quite as simple. (So don't lose that spare key!) If you lose your Toyota Smart Key and need a replacement, you'll need to visit our Orlando Toyota auto service center. Our techs can get you a new key, but you'll need a couple of things with you when you arrive, including: 

• Proof of ownership of the vehicle 
• Your driver's license or ID 
• Your car's VIN number 
• Your Smart Key code number - we can access this for you at Toyota of Orlando as long as you have the above-listed elements 

We can then reissue you a Smart Key and configure it to your car - that way the new key works, and the old key doesn't (just in case it was stolen or someone stumbles upon it). 

Toyota of Orlando can help you get your car up and running again 

Have questions about your Toyota Smart Key or need a bit of help with it? Call Toyota of Orlando's auto service center today. We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001.