<p>I need to duplicate an ES300 key, is that for Dealers only?</p>
<p>I called the dealers, they told me the key without remote is $80 and programming charge is another $80. Not sure what programming means, but that is going to be the total charge. Key with remote is around $300 total. </p>
<p>Pretty much your only option. Did you lose the other key or did the plastic break? In the latter case, a few dabs of superglue can work miracles. </p>
<p>If you shop on Ebay you can get it for about 90 bucks or less. You need to google on ebay your model and year. and make sure it is an unprogramed key. After that you need to google on ebay toyota key cutting service and send the key in to be laser cut. Its worth the savings.</p>
<p>Really you can do that? Order a key off ebay and get it simply cut like the old days? I thought you HAD to have a key that was programmed to your car or it wouldn’t start because the car would not recognize the key. At least like the OP, that’s what I’m being told about my Volvo key. I lost one so I’m down to one key and it makes me nervous…I am being told I have to drive to the dealership and they have to get me a new key and program it to the tune of $150. I don’t need the fob or that would be more. So is that a crock of crap? As long as you can get the key cut it will work just like in the good 'ole days???</p>
<p>Here is some thing about to reprogram the key DIY and I found the key blank is for sale for about $25, how can I get the key cut to my master is my problem.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.soslock.com/services/auto/lexus/index.html”>http://www.soslock.com/services/auto/lexus/index.html</a></p>
<p>@momofthreeboys - with the new keys, it is very hard to have it laser cut now for under $80~$100. But there are some key cutters that want to make money on volume and they are listed in ebay. Most of the fobs are easy to program per the link above.
Sometimes you don’t need the actual key if you have the push button start. The key is a backup to open locked door.</p>
<p>@artloversplus - if you have the master key code, they have the ability to program the number in. Usually it comes with the car when purchased new. Or don’t drive for one week and send it to the laser cutter on ebay … :)</p>
<p>Since it appears you live in the Bay Area call around to several different Lexus dealers. The price can vary widely. We had to do that with a Volvo and we found the dealer we bought the car at 2 hours away was half the cost of the local dealer. H and I took a drive, dropped off car and had a nice lunch. If you need a 2nd key done they will sometimes significantly reduce cost of 2nd key.
Since that time we have found a local locksmith shop who also laser cuts and is less expensive. </p>
<p>^^ I can see your Point mom60, cost in SAC is different from SF,</p>
<p>I have since found one lock smith in San Mateo for $120, soup to nuts, without the remote control. I am still looking, the one in OR has not return my email as to how get it laser cut.</p>
<p>The reason for the special procedures is that newer cars have RFID recognition of the key, so the car must be programmed to recognize the new key (usually, all other keys that you want to be recognized also have to be present as well). This is to make it harder to steal a car by copying a key the usual way or “hot wiring” the car (although a thief with a tow truck can still steal the car).</p>
<p>Cars with push button on/off use the RFID only, without the key in the lock cylinder part of the system.</p>
<p>Yes that is what I’m being told…the car needs to recognize the key and “only” a dealership can program the keys. And yes, I assumed it was RF technology. But I was hoping beyond hope that you could simply cut a key and it would start the car. You don’t need the fob really except for unlocking the doors etc. I just want an extra key and the nearest dealership is over an hour away so I guess I’ll just have to bite the bullet and do it. Actually there are days when I would willingly buy a car with windows you crank up and down and a simple combustion engine and no electronics.</p>
<p>There are companies that duplicate, like e-keys for cars: [url=<a href=“http://www.ekeys4cars.com%5Dhere%5B/url”>http://www.ekeys4cars.com]here[/url</a>].</p>
<p>looks like problem solved. The key I need on ebay is $10 and the cutting service is $30, all you need is the key code, which can be obtained from Lexus dealer by providing the vin number. After you have the key, you just have to follow the step above to program it.</p>
<p>OK–I am a bit slow so I need clarification. Both ‘clickers’ for our 13 year old Land Cruiser have completely fallen apart, so we are down to the valet key which opens the door by turning key in the lock. Car does not have press button start, so same ‘clicker’ key required turning key in ignition, before the clickers fell apart. If I only want a second copy of the valet key, is there a way to do this w/o paying $300 to the dealer for a new clicker/key? I still have the key code b/c the dealer told me to write it down years ago. Thanks all!</p>
<p>If you search on ebay with your car year and model number adn the search term “keys”, you may find some one will sell the key and cut the key for you. Not sure if your keys are “transponder” keys.</p>
<p>@CT1417 - is your key a standard key? Keys that are cut only on the outsides?
You can get 2 key with new housing on eBay for under 10 bucks and have it cut at Ace or Home Depot.
You can reuse the inside of the fob in the new housing.<br>
Newer cars have grooves or cuts on the inside of keys the require special laser cutter (pricey) and some car makes require fobs to be programmed only by the dealer.
Type 2001 Land cruiser key housing on eBay.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>@artloversplus & @gavealltocollege (love that name)—THANK YOU! How could I not have thought of this myself? It has been SO many years since I had a key cut, that I just forgot about having keys cut. (All those years of moving annually w/in NYC and immediately having several copies of keys cut.) </p>
<p>I am not sure if CC will erase this link, but this photo looks exactly my one remaining valet key (never had a transponder). I think I will order both the transponder units and this valet one just to cover all bases, and see if I can swap the chip out of the old transponders. THANK YOU again.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-New-Uncut-Ignition-Chipped-Key-With-Transponder-Chip-Blank-Blade-4C-Replace-/400688247251?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2000|Make%3AToyota|Model%3ALand+Cruiser&hash=item5d4ae171d3&vxp=mtr”>http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-New-Uncut-Ignition-Chipped-Key-With-Transponder-Chip-Blank-Blade-4C-Replace-/400688247251?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2000|Make%3AToyota|Model%3ALand+Cruiser&hash=item5d4ae171d3&vxp=mtr</a></p>
<p>Ace and HD cannot cut those keys. I live in HD on a daily basis, so if they can cut that key, I will be all over it.</p>
<p>I tried an aftermarket key for our car. The first key, which had to be programmed, didn’t work at all, so the overnight shipping I paid to get it to son was a waste, and I had to drive it to him. Second key worked for a little while, then stopped working, while my son was a houseguest several hours away, and they were leaving… That was a long day of driving. Now we are down to one key, and I will likely pay the exorbitant dealer price for a new key.</p>
<p>Alright…I am confused again as it sounds as though people are saying that the too-good-to-be-believed ebay option will not work. I have the key that never had a transponder. (The original two transponders fell apart.) This key unlocks the doors manually and turns in the ignition. I would like to duplicate it just in case it is ever lost. The car is a 2000 and still running strong.</p>
<p>I am more than a bit wary of mailing away the only copy of the key to the place linked here: <a href=“http://www.ekeys4cars.com”>http://www.ekeys4cars.com</a>.</p>
<p>Short of paying the Toyota dealer $300, is there a less expensive alternative? I saw $80-$100 laser cutting mentioned. I guess I could just start with Home Depot and see what they suggest.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your patience.</p>
<p>If you cannot trust the mail order. go to a local LOCKSMITH. I found one in San Mateo, you drive there with the master and they will cut a key right there and then. Cost is 120 vs 180 dealer. Keep the receipt and you will have a recourse.</p>