How to Get Replacement Keys for Toyota Cars
by Jen Davis
Losing the key for your Toyota car can be stressful and nerve-racking. It is always better to have a spare key on hand than it is to have to replace your key after you have lost it. You can get a replacement key for your Toyota car through one of several methods.
Step 1
Take your current key to any store that makes duplicate keys. Depending on the age of your car, your car's key may or may not have a manufacturer's chip in it. If the key does not have a chip, have a duplicate key made by any person with a key machine, such as the clerk at your local hardware store. If there is a chip in the key, you can still duplicate it. But the replacement key doesn't work unless it also has a chip in it that can be programmed to match the car's computer system.
Step 2
Go to your local Toyota dealership. The dealership can make a replacement key for your Toyota whether or not the key has a chip in it. The dealership also has the capabilities to program the chip on-site and may even be able to make a key without having an existing key to copy the new key from. Some dealerships keep records for vehicle keys and can create another key to fit your locks and ignition without ever seeing the original. If you have lost your keys, the dealership may be your best bet for getting a replacement quickly.
Step 3
Contact a locksmith who deals with automotive keys. Many locksmiths keep programmable, chipped car keys in stock and can make a new car key that works with your car's computer system. A locksmith should be able to cut a new key for your car and program the chip for you, depending on the technology he has available. If there is no Toyota dealership near you, you may be able to get a working replacement key made by a locksmith.
References
Tips
- You may be able to save money on a replacement key by purchasing the key online, having it cut to fit your car and then taking it to someone to have it programmed.
Writer Bio
Jen Davis has been writing since 2004. She has served as a newspaper reporter and her freelance articles have appeared in magazines such as "Horses Incorporated," "The Paisley Pony" and "Alabama Living." Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts in communication with a concentration in journalism from Berry College in Rome, Ga.
