Hardware Store Ruined My Blank G Key

My truck only came with the gray valet key so I had been meaning to make a copy with one of the Chinese copiers. Bought a blank months ago from another member. Finally got around to getting the copier. Now a month later I finally grab the key on my way to the gym and stop at the hardware store on the way to copy it. Guy says no problem.. But he cut too much off in one section and so it goes in but doesn’t turn. In all the times I’ve had keys copied at the hardware store they always work.. but not the time I bring in an OEM blank. Guess I just have to laugh and move on. Just wanted to vent and ask if anyone knows where I can get another blank. Haha

 

you can always get them from the dealer, yeah yeah I know its expensive but they always work.

 

Well.. I read in the owners manual that if both black keys are lost, you cannot copy a valet key. So my plan is to just clone it.

 

Ordered another one from eBay.. $10 bucks

 

How did your truck only come with the valet key. Did you buy it new? I would've went back to the dealer and demanded the other keys

 

Bought it used last year. It’s an 05. Kid said that’s all he had unfortunately

 

Not to shit on you but I would go to the dealer and see what they would have to do to get you a black key cut and programmed. For fords if you dont have a regular key then you need 2 new keys to do the programming, which I know costs a lot.

 

The whole point of the valet key is so that the valet parking guy can't cut a new key off of yours, program your truck to recognize his newly made key, and then go to your house in the night and steal your truck. Personally, I think that's a bit of a stretch and I can't really imagine people that have their truck valet parked, say to themselves, "Oh yeah, I need to give him the grey key."

 

I know the dealer is like a $200 plus option. They may have to replace the immobilizer system I believe. So yeah another $10 key is worth trying to clone the valet

 

Exactly.. It’s just a way for Toyota to cover themselves. Or in this case just a last ditch effort that you don’t lose the grey key till you sell the truck. Like having 0 lives left in Mario ha

 

I know how you feel. When I bought my Tacoma just over a year ago, it only came with one black key and the factory key fob. I bought the truck used and was hoping that it would come with both keys. I am a firm believer in having at least two keys for any vehicle I own. Especially since the great expense and hassle come into play when you loose your one and only key. I bought a factory key blank online, (for the life of me, I don't remember from who) and had it cut at a local hardware store. I know some places won't cut a key that wasn't purchased from them, but what I did was I bought a plain, no chip key from him and had that cut, then asked if he would cut the factory black key as well. Paid full price for the plain key, which wasn't much, then he only charged me a few bucks more to cut the black key. I wanted a plain key anyway. I keep that one in my toolbox incase I'm working on something and need to get into my truck without having to go in the house for my regular keys. I found the instructions here on Tacomaworld to program the new black key. I would have to check my receipts, but I think all said and done, I only paid less than $50.00 to buy the two keys and have them cut. I call that insurance.

 

I very much agree. That’s exactly what I was trying to do. I actually offered to pay for a key and he said, “nah it’s ok, if there’s no paper trail then we won’t get trouble if I mess up” and he kinda laughed. Which made me a bit nervous. I can’t be mad at him though because he was just trying to do me a favor and accidents happen. Hindsight being 20/20 I should have had him cut a non-chip key for “practice” and checked that in the truck first. Next time.

 

Uh, well actually, the way we do it, is I carry the valet key for my wife's car on my key ring, and she carries mine. We keep the spare originals for both cars safely at home. We will never be valet parking a car unless we are both there, and so we always have the valet key on hand. So yeah, people most certainly do give them the grey key.

 

Is there a huge demand for Toyota Tacomas, so much so that valets will take the time/risk to steal your key, somehow run to a key shop, have a copy made and then make it back in time before you finish your dinner, and then they somehow have to figure out where you live , travel to your home and steal the truck!?!? All for a used Tacoma?!? Sounds like a bad comedy. If I am valeting my truck, for the most part there will be cars that are 2-3 times more expensive that would be more appetizing to a cunning key copying ninja valet. i NEVER use my valet key. I keep it hidden in case I lock myself out. I think 1 out of 10 people use a valet. I've glanced at the holding boxes that the valets use to hold customer keys. And 99% of the time, its entire key rings, not a single valet key.

 

A lot of hotels do valet parking, so the window of time greatly increases.

Also, you're clearly not a car thief, 'cause the car thieving business does NOT center around the stuff you'd see driven by the likes of Bruce Wayne.
In fact, the most frequently stolen vehicles are very plain. Things that don't stand out in a crowd.
Given the other items on the list, one might even say that a Tacoma is too "high end" to be a real target.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgor...en-new-and-used-cars-in-the-u-s/#4aa260645258

You will find, in BOTH the new and used "top 10" list, both Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla, and no Bentley's or Lambo's.


And guess what? The Hotel has record of where you live.

 

They should pay to get you a new one from Toyota. Talk to the manager.


That being said. Do people use valet keys? LOL

 

The Toyota dealership made me an extra key, and put the my ignition key ring. Half way down the block, the truck died. I got it going agin, went back to the dealership. They were not supposed to put the 2 programmed keys together. Ugh!!! (like I knew this?)

 

Never valet your truck. Problem solved with someone duplicating your key and trying to steal your truck.

Hell I don’t even let friends and family drive my truck, I wouldn’t let a stranger. Over my dead body. I even hate letting the dealer take my truck when I have to go in for a recall or something so I limit those to a minimum.

 

i thought i had lost the key to my hhr, so i ordered 2 off of ebay, went to a locksmith in town, he cut them and only 1 side of 1 key worked. never again will grace the doors of this place. i did however find my keys, wife let them slide between the couch cushions.

 

Man, I glad I read this thread. I bought my 07 used and got all three. Always wondered why one one different.