TimYang

Good morning,

My elderly mom drives a 2015 ES3350 and she tells me that she only has one key for it. Its the type of key were you just have it in your pocket or purse and you push a button to start the ignition. Earlier this week she misplaced her keys for several hours. After we found them I called the local dealer about getting a spare key and the price given was $315 for a key and $100-170 for programming. Is this a reasonable price and/or are there non-OEM options that work well? I feel like having a spare key is the right thing but spending close to $500 seems very high.

Thanks,

-Tim

MrDream

Try calling around to the mobile key locksmith companies. Some of them now are very high tech and have vans stocked with keyfobs and keys and they will come out to you, cut the key and program the fob on-site. I don't know about Toyota/Lexus in particular, but a lot of car manufactures give these locksmiths access to their systems to let them program keys.

Doctj

You can also try calling different dealers and shop around.

Gerf

Secure the key without any other keys attached inside her purse.

satek

Just did mine for $115. Buy a mini VCI cable which should come with a download for tech stream, then buy a used Lexus virginized key to program it yourself.

Must have a windows laptop and google around a little bit on how to do it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/372965706446 for key
https://www.ebay.com/itm/394220688480 for cable

NdYAG

And to get the cut metal insert key use this link (just need to provide the key code or picture):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164927468749

studmuffin

I just got a new real Lexus key for $280, the fob, programming, and the emergency key. I live in Southern California. It took 2 weeks for the locksmith to get it . An off- brand one would have costed $220.

jebz240

Im in the same boat, wouldn't mind programming myself, do you have a working link for the cable we need and techstream for a 2017 ES350?

smedina117

That's great! Thank you satek.

How easy is it to program the fob, once you get the cable?

Any advice for a non-techy person.

Again, thank you.

GrizzlyMan

Sounds tempting, but I seriously would not be sending pictures of my key especially knowing it is to make copies of it, to someone on eBay. If by any chance my car coincidentally goes missing, man, that would create a lot of sleepless nights for me with the could it possibly has been from when I did this...
My peace of mind costs more than a few bucks, I would certainly drop the cash. Please I am not stating anything related to been cheap, but I see it this is a newer car, is a Lexus. If maybe it was a spare key for an old 2008 car with lots of mile and half the paint is gone, so then shelling that kind of money would make me find other reasonable alternatives.
**This I do know, whatever decision you make, make it quick because if you lose the key it will be way much more expensive to get a new one without a physical sample key.**

Shaboom

If she lost the second key, many insurances will cover much/all the cost of replacement. Mine has paid for two or three over the years.

NdYAG

Paranoid too much?

1. The metal key is pretty much useless without the rest of the fob. It will not start the car and the alarm will start blaring the moment you try to use it (without the fob). Basically the same function can be achieved by throwing a rock through a window.

2. I would be much more concerned about any local business you give the key to - because they are close to you. The guy cutting keys in California - why would he be interested in opening a car in another state? But if you bring your car for an oil change - and a low-paid employee there can quickly take a picture of your key and/or even make a complete duplicate fob (that starts and drives the car) in a minute. And you probably even leave your address when paying for that oil change. Have you though of that? How are your going to sleep now with this knowledge?

3. If you want to be extra safe - just ask a friend to order the key. Making another key without being able to locate the car it opens is useless.

4. Anyone with a $200 relay transmitter from dark net already can quietly open and drive away your car right from your driveway anyway. This is what you should really worry about - not an established vendor on eBay with multi-year history and tens of thousands customers.

samsonn25

aYou can buy a hot copy of Techstream and buy a used virginized key fob for $100 or less and program it yourself. Metal emergency key there is online service to cut it by pic for $18