2013 Tacoma microchip key?

I went to Walmart to make a copy of my key for a hide-a-key (because they were half the price of the dealership) and I was under the impression these trucks have a microchip in the key that needs to be programmed. However when I handed the lady my key, she scanned it against some sensor and said it did NOT have a chip in the key. Is this possible? She did seem fairly incompetent, so I did not take her word for it and didn't end up getting my key cut yet.

 

I have been told that the keys DO have chips in them. I tried the same thing you did only to be turned down by the key maker at Home Depot.

 

I had a key cut at Lowes for my '13 and they are chipped, the one I had cut will unlock the door but will not start the truck. They told me later this yr they would be able to cut and program keys for the Tacoma '13. They already do them for prior yr Toyotas.

 

AND the correct answer is:

Some do some don't. My 2012 2.7L Prerunner doesn't have chipped keys. Yours probably doesn't either. Look at the center of the console if you have a little lighted picture of a car with a key on it you have a chipped immobilizer. If you don't see the little car you don't have a chipped key or an immobilizer.

Get a key made and try to start the truck if it starts, You don't.

See this link: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/51965-flashing-red-car.html

 

Local Ace Hardware does chip keys for $70. I go there to do all my keys. Home stores here use computers and cannot cut just any key such as Polaris.

 

This, I use it for hunting all the time, can give it to someone hunting and not worry if they keep it or loose it.
Also a cheap easy way to protect from lockout when you have several people getting in and out of a truck.

I keep on on my ATV key chain.

 

The ranch I hunt is 4 hours from the house. Nearest Toyota dealer is probably 1-1/2 hours. I throw my 3rd key in my duffle bag which goes into the sleeping quarters as soon as I get there. While on the ranch my key stays in the ignition. Brother gives me a hard time about leaving it there. I tell him it is the safest place. Cannot lock the doors and I always know where it is.

 

4-cyl = no immobilizer
6-cyl = immobilizer

 

THIS is the answer I was looking for!!

 

You can tell just by looking at the key...dimple = chip

 

Not entirely correct. The newer 80 bit keys have a "G" stamped on the blade near the head.

 

oh snap ^

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong here, but I thought all Tacos w/ immobiliser systems have the flashing indicator on the dash when the key is not in the ignition.

OP, just sit in your car w/out the key in the ignition and you should see the pic below (key outlined by red vehicle) if you have an immobilzer.

 

This is the only answer to the question. If you have a 4 cylinder Taco, from the base model to the prerunner, no matter how many doors you have, it will NOT have the immobilizer theft protection system. I hate it that Toyota went along and cheeped out on our trucks and made them vulnerable to theft by anyone with a screw driver. The 4 cylinder trucks do have the key symbol on the center stack, but it does not function. But, our replacement keys are cheaper...