babbles

Or should I take the uncut key for my 2014 es300h to Lexus?

GES

I don't see why not. The mechanical key allows you to open the door, but you won't be able to start it.

lesz

While a locksmith can program the mechanical key, I think that a Lexus dealer needs to program the chip.

Perhaps, others can confirm, but I believe that some who have copies of Toyota Techstream have been successful in using it to program the chip, but others have have tried to do so have succeeded only in disabling the chips in their other keys, which means that they can't start the car at all with any of their keys.

Mike728

There's a chip in the mechanical key? You can start the car with just the FOB with the key removed.

Edit: The OP just needs the mechanical key, so there shouldn't need to be any programming. I read his/her first post on this subject wrong.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...l#post10297950

Oh, and to answer the question. I would trust a locksmith. It's their job, plus, they can't steal your car with the mechanical key.

babbles

So I do have the original key but bought a key online through Lexus parts so there's no programming involved and maybe no need to go to Lexus?? They said they would charge about $77 in labor and takes 1 1/2 hours.

Mike728

You have the original key, or FOB? Reading your other post, it looks like you had the FOB, but no key. I've actually never used my key in the almost 6 years of ownership. Did you get 2 FOB's when you bought your ES and only 1 was missing the key?

lesz

I didn't proof read what I wrote as carefully as I should have before posting. What I had intended to say was that a locksmith should be able to cut the mechanical key, but I didn't think that a locksmith would be able to program the chip in the fob.

I was also confused about what the OP needed. I thought that he needed to have the mechanical key cut and also needed to have the fob chip programmed.

Sorry for adding confusion to the thread.

babbles

Yes I have the FOB but no key for the second one which I got from Lexus parts online but it is uncut.

pab12

You mean the fob came keyless (i.e., without the slide-out safety key?)

gamma742

That's what it sounds like.. didn't know they sold them that way.

babbles

I just happen to catch while i was putting a key glove on and notified the dealership I bought it from and they immediately offered to pay for any expenses for a new key.

gamma742

I had one cut by a local locksmith. Most will look at the key and turn you away. The local guy was in one of those tiny buildings in the parking lot of a strip mall. I drove right up and he said yeah and I gave him the cut and the uncut key, as soon as he was finished I tried the key in the door, worked fine.. asked him what I owed him, he said 20 bucks so I handed him a twenty and was on my way.

It's not like you are going to use it much ...if at all. Why give all your money to the Dealer, try and support the local small business owner.

babbles

Paid $30 yesterday, all is well!

mandyfig

I am still confused as to what happened. Anyway all sorted, good for you.

gamma742

When you get a new FOB, you get a blank key (uncut). He just needed to have a key cut in order to unlock the doors in the event of a dead FOB battery.