How to get a spare key when you only have a valet key?

Imagine you buy a 2007 Tacoma and it only comes with one key. You think, "No problem, I'll just get a spare made".

And then you find out that the key you have is the gray "valet key", not the black "master key". The valet key has a chip that can be used to easily sync a new spare. The valet key chip cannot, and apparently the only option is to pay the dealership $500 to reset the computer.

Anyone else ever been in this situation? Anyone know of any other options? I can't bring myself to spend five hundred dollars on a key.

 

Have you checked with a locksmith?

There are "ways" to do all keys lost and program new keys with some aftermarket tooling which some locksmiths would know.

 

^ Locksmiths can clone valet keys, but by the book you cannot program anymore keys.

On my own crap boxes I zip tie the valet key to the antenna and cut 3 blank keys and move on haha

 

I went to a locksmith. He was the one who told me it was a valet key and I should take it to the dealership, because he wouldn't be able to make a functional key from the valet key.