I thought my key had a chip!

When I purchased my truck (2012 std. cab 4x) I was told by the salesman that the ignition key was chipped. I almost did not spring for the alarm thinking that without the key the truck wouldn't be going anywhere. After locking myself out I purchased a flat non-chipped key from the dealer as a spare to stick in my wallet. The dang key starts my truck! I moved the factory key over 125 feet away, inside a building, and the flat key still started my truck! Either the salesman was wrong, or there's a problem with the security system. I've been meaning to call the dealer, but keep forgetting. Any of you know if this truck being a "std" comes without the anit-theft chip feature?

 

should be able to look on the key and tell?

 

Has the rubber end, but no obvious thing to indicate there's something in the key head. The dealer offered my a chipped replacement for $130.00 which reinforced the notion that the stock key comes chipped.

 

I have keyless entry, but no alarm system.

When I was 18 I bent a key while hanging out on a dock. I bought a black replacement that fits into the ignition and has a chip, but has to be "calibrated". It'll open my Tacomas doors, never tried it on another truck. If I hold my old key ontop of my new blank key it'll start my truck. If I take the old key away it will only open the doors, but will not start the truck.

I got it from the dealer. To my knowledge all 05+ Tacoma have chipped keys.

 

mine isn't chipped either. might be a regular cab thing?

 

I just Googled the question and found the answer (on TW by the way). The base models (4 cyl's) don't come chipped. Just as well....who wants to pay to program the key if I have to replace it. The way to tell apparently is that chipped ignitions have a flashing red key shaped indicator when your in the truck without the chipped key.r

 

chipped keys also have a small dot engraved on them right where the metal meets the rubber part.