
180
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3-1. Key information
Keys
The following keys are provided with the vehicle.
Electronic keys
• Operating the smart key system  (P. 196)
• Operating  the  wireless  remote control function
Mechanical keys
Key number plate
Locks all the doors ( P.   1 8 6 )
Unlocks all the doors ( P.   1 8 6 )
Opens  the  side  windows  and
moon roof (if equipped)
* 
(  P. 186)
Sounds the alarm ( P. 181)
*: This setting must be customized at your Toyota dealer.
The keys
1
2
3
Wireless remote control
1
2
3
4 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
1813-1. Key information
3
Operation of each component
To  take  out  the  mechanical  key,
slide  the  release  lever  and  take
the key out.
The  mechanical  key  can  only  be
inserted  in  one  direction,  as  the
key  only  has  grooves  on  one  side.
If  the  key  cannot  be  inserted  in  a
lock  cylinder,  turn  it  over  and  re-
attempt to insert it.
After  using  the  mechanical  key,  store  it  in  the  electronic  key. Carry the
mechanical  key  together  with  the  electronic  key.  If  the  electro nic  key  bat-
tery  is  depleted  or  the  entry  function  does  not  operate  properl y,  you  will
need the mechanical key. ( P. 647)
■Panic mode
■ If you lose your mechanical keys
New  genuine  mechanical  keys  can  be  made  by  your  Toyota  dealer  u sing
another  mechanical  key  and  the  key  number  stamped  on  your  key  n umber
plate. Keep the plate in a safe place such as your wallet, not  in the vehicle.
■ When riding in an aircraft
When bringing an electronic key onto an aircraft, make sure you  do not press
any  buttons  on  the  electronic  key  while  inside  the  aircraft  cab in.  If  you  are
carrying  an  electronic  key  in  your  bag  etc.,  ensure  that  the  bu ttons  are  not
likely to be pressed accidentally. Pressing a button may cause  the electronic
key to emit radio waves that could interfere with the operation  of the aircraft.
Using the mechanical key
Release 
lever
When    is  pressed  for  longer  than
about  one  second,  an  alarm  will  sound
intermittently  and  the  vehicle  lights  will
flash  to  deter  any  person  from  trying  to
break into or damage your vehicle.
To stop the alarm, press any button on the
electronic key. 

182
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3-1. Key information
■Electronic key battery depletion
●The standard battery life is 1 to 2 years.
● If the battery becomes low, an alarm will sound in the cabin an d a message
will  be  displayed  on  the  multi-information  display  when  the  hyb rid  system
stops.
● As the electronic  key always receives radio waves, the battery  will become
depleted even if the electronic key is not used. The following  symptoms indi-
cate  that  the  electronic  key  battery  may  be  depleted.  Replace  the  battery
when necessary. ( P. 560)
• The smart key system or the wireless remote control does not o perate.
• The detection area becomes smaller.
• The LED indicator on the key surface does not turn on.
You  can  replace  the  battery  by  yourself  ( P.  560).  However,  as  there  is  a
danger  that  the  electronic  key  may  be  damaged,  it  is  recommende d  that
replacement is carried out by your Toyota dealer.
● To  avoid  serious  deterioration,  do  not  leave  the  electronic  key   within  3  ft.
(1 m) of the following electrical appliances that produce a magnetic field:
•TVs
• Personal computers
• Cellular phones, cordless phones and battery chargers
• Table lamps
• Induction cookers 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
1973-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Operation of each component
■Alarms and warning messages
An alarm sounds and warning message displays shown on the multi -informa-
tion  display  are  used  to  protect  against  unexpected  accidents  o r  theft  of  the
vehicle resulting from erroneous operation. When a warning mess age is dis-
played, take appropriate measures based on the displayed message.
When only an alarm sounds, circumstances and correction procedu res are as
follows.
■ When  “Smart  Key  System  malfuncti on  See  owner’s  manual”  is  dis-
played on the multi-information display
The  system  may  be  malfunctioning.  Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by   your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Battery-saving function
The battery-saving function will be activated in order to preve nt the electronic
key battery and the 12-volt battery from being discharged while  the vehicle is
not in operation for a long time.
● In  the  following  situations,  the  smart  key  system  may  take  some  time to
unlock the doors.
• The electronic key has been left in an area of approximately 6  ft. (2 m) of
the outside of the vehicle for 10 minutes or longer.
• The smart key system has not been used for 5 days or longer.
● If the smart key system has not been used for 14 days or longer , the doors
cannot be unlocked at any doors except the driver’s door. In th is case, take
hold  of  the  driver’s  door  handle,  or  use  the  wireless  remote  co ntrol  or  the
mechanical key, to unlock the doors.
AlarmSituationCorrection procedure
Exterior  alarm
sounds  once  for  5
secondsAn  attempt  was  made  to
lock the vehicle while a door
was open.Close  all  of  the  doors
and  lock  the  doors
again.
Interior  alarm
pings repeatedly
The  power  switch  was
turned  to  ACCESSORY
mode while the driver’s door
was open (The driver’s door
was  opened  when  the
power  switch  was  in
ACCESSORY mode).
Turn  the  power  switch
off  and  close  the
driver’s door. 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
1993-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Operation of each component
■Note for the entry function
●Even when the electronic key is within the effective range (det ection areas),
the system may not operate properly in the following cases:
• The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door  handle, near
the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or unl ocked.
• The electronic key is on the instrument panel, floor, or in th e door pockets
or  glove  box  when  the  hybrid  system  is  started  or  power  switch  modes
are changed.
● Do  not  leave  the  electronic  key  on  top  of  the  instrument  panel  or  near  the
door pockets when exiting the vehicle. Depending on the radio w ave recep-
tion conditions, it may be detected by the antenna outside the  cabin and the
door will become lockable from the outside, possibly trapping the electronic
key inside the vehicle.
● As long as the electronic key is within the effective range, th e doors may be
unlocked or locked by anyone.
● Even if the electronic key is not inside the vehicle, it may be  possible to start
the hybrid system if the electronic key is near the window.
● The doors may unlock if a large amount of water splashes on the  door han-
dle, such as in the rain or in a car wash when the electronic k ey is within the
effective  range.  (The  door  will  automatically  be  locked  after  a pproximately
60 seconds if the doors are not opened and closed.)
● If  the  wireless  remote  control  is  used  to  lock  the  doors  when  t he  electronic
key  is  near  the  vehicle,  there  is  a  possibility  that  the  door  m ay  not  be
unlocked  by  the  entry  function.  (Use  the  wireless  remote  contro l  to  unlock
the doors.)
● Touching  the  door  lock  sensor  while  wearing  gloves  may  delay  or  prevent
lock operation. Remove the gloves and touch the lock sensor aga in.
● When the lock operation is performed using the lock sensor, rec ognition sig-
nals  will  be  shown  up  to  two  consecutive  times. After  this,  no  recognition
signals will be given.
● If the  door  handle becomes  wet while the  electronic  key  is with in the  effec-
tive range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In this ca se, follow the
following correction procedures to wash the vehicle.
• Place  the  electronic  key  in  a  location  6  ft.  (2  m)  or  more  awa y  from  the
vehicle. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
• Set  electronic  key  to  battery-saving  mode  to  disable  the  smart   key  sys-
tem. ( P. 198)
● If  the  electronic  key  is  inside  the  vehicle  and  a  door  handle  b ecomes  wet
during  a  car  wash,  a  message  may  be  shown  on  the  multi-informat ion  dis-
play and a buzzer will sound outside the vehicle. To turn off t he alarm, lock
all the doors. 

200
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
●The  lock  sensor  may  not  work  properly  if  it  comes  into  contact  with  ice,
snow, mud, etc. Clean the lock sensor and attempt to operate it again.
● A  sudden  approach  to  the  effective  range  or  door  handle  may  prevent  the
doors from being unlocked. In this case, return the door handle to the origi-
nal position and check that the doors unlock before pulling the  door handle
again.
● If  there  is  another  electronic  key  in  the  detection  area,  it  ma y  take  slightly
longer to unlock the doors after the door handle is gripped. 
■ When the vehicle is not driven for extended periods
●To  prevent  theft  of  the  vehicle,  do  not  leave  the  electronic  ke y  within  6  ft.
(2 m) of the vehicle.
● The smart key system can be deactivated in advance. ( P. 690)
■ To operate the system properly
Make sure to carry the electronic key when operating the system. Do not get
the electronic key too close to the vehicle when operating the  system from the
outside of the vehicle.
Depending on the position and holding condition of the electron ic key, the key
may not be detected correctly and the system may not operate pr operly. (The
alarm may go off accidentally, or the door lock prevention may not operate.)
■ If the smart key system does not operate properly
●Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the mechanical key. ( P. 647)
● Starting the hybrid system: P. 648
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. smart key system) can be changed. 
(Customizable features:  P. 690)
■ If the smart key system has been d eactivated in a customized setting
● Unlocking and locking the doors:
Use the wireless remote control or mechanical key. ( P. 186, 647)
● Starting the hybrid system and changing power switch modes:  P. 648
● Stopping the hybrid system:  P. 246