smart Keys - 451 smart fortwo

We have just gone through our…

2009-08-26T12:33:50.509Z

We have just gone through our first problem with our Smart key sets. While understandable given the parameters surrounding these things, it still was a two hour hassle.

Aware of the problems of key loss of modern cars (my lovely wife once lost two of these keys (not Smart, but still programmable) during a sixty foot walk from her car to her classroom - they apparently just vanished into thin air), we have always kept four keysets for our two vehicles. One set goes into the master key box, one set hangs by the garage door (and goes along on trips as a spare set in the luggage), and each of us has our set.

When we bought our Smart, the cost of the extra keys was eyebrow raising but not completely unexpected. However, with Toyota, it was a two day wait and a ten minute service visit, and they were done. Even when the immobilizers came into play, still the same wait.

Not so with the Smart. Here it was a [i]one week[/i] wait for the key blades (which had to come from Deutschland, no less!), which then the dealership managed to lose (internally) for a couple of days. Then, when we went for the programming, we were told "something is wrong" with the key blades, and they were going to have to call the home office and figure out what it was.

So now we have two key heads that have not been programmed, but still only two keys. Bummer.

Posit this situation when it comes to [i]your[/i] security in mind. You and your wife have left on a long vacation in your immobilizer equipped car (Smart or otherwise). She loses her keys (I've been there for that - twice now). You now have only your car keys between you and complete, "Your car as dead as if it had been treated with Clunker Bomb", 'ain't goin' nowhere' immobility somewhere to the south of Disneyworld. If [i]your[/i] keys go south, a possibility not beyond imagining, you are up the creek without the proverbial paddle.

Like the commercial levels of security that now accompanies some computer functions for computers never used for anything more than browsing the Internets from the comfort of your home, the security encompassed with these modern car keys seems to be a bit much. It's too bad that they don't either a) make a "safe" set of keys as part of the price of the new car, or b) make it a little easier to get a car moving if the double loss should happen.

Until this happens, we are resigned to getting a minimum of four keys, and putting up with the cost and delay of getting them. No more silver keys that fit in your wallet. Sigh...

Kind it's a little bit expens…

2008-12-18T03:07:26.349Z

Kind it's a little bit expensive to replace the keys of a smart car...mmmmm a MBZ keys only cost $65 that includes the remote something going fishy here....

I think the problem with this…

2008-12-17T14:06:32.025Z

I think the problem with this idea is here,

"In order for a dealer to code or recode a key(s) they must get a 12 digit code directly from smart.
This code is good for 5 days only and IT TAKES 24 HOURS TO GET THE CODE FROM smart !"

Even with a sympathetic dealer, they may have their hands tied by this coding scheme.
I just went through this key procedure and it was tedious.
Yes, the key comes in two parts - blade and transponder/chip
The blade is sold as a pair so if you order one, you get two.
Having the blade alone will do little good as you lock and unlock the car with the transponder.
The chances of locking your key in the car is pretty "remote".
When I got my replacement key, it took over two hours - close to three to get the code from smart central.
(not 24 hours - but not right away either)
The cost was stunning.
An hour labor for the procedure and the $150 transponder head, plus the blades.

Terri & Jim It sounds li…

2008-12-17T13:05:24.521Z

Terri & Jim

It sounds like a good idea but, unfortunately. it probably won't work. I think that the "code" is specific to the car, not the key. While you can have the key's coded to any vehicle, I don't think that you can have the same key/keys programmed to two vehicles. The opposite may be true though, the "code" may be specific to the key. If that's the case, then your plan will work. Please let us know.

Enjoy

Dave S

I have an idea -- we have two…

2008-12-17T03:25:09.579Z

I have an idea -- we have two fortwos, a 2008 and a 2009. I'm thinking about buying two spare flat keys for each vehicle. Then have the 4 original electronic keys programmed into BOTH vehicles. We would then need to carry only one "complete" key and the flat key from the other car. That would also give us two complete sets of spare keys.

Comments?

Hi, can you pls assist as i l…

2008-12-16T22:37:03.115Z

Hi, can you pls assist as i lost my smart fortwo car keys, and can't get a replacement. Mine was imported from germany with docs to back-up. Can you guys pls assist with a dealer dat can make anoda key for me. i can scan and mail all the car docs for him to verify the authenticity. PLS ASSIST.

I posted this back in June I…

2008-09-26T12:04:56.708Z

I posted this back in June

IMPORTANT smart Key Information

Every smart owner needs to be aware of the replacement key situation

Your smart comes with two keys with remote controls attached. Should you lose one and the other is not readily available (at home, spouse out-of-town, etc) you may find yourself in a difficult and potentially expensive situation. Based on my personal experience and the information from my dealer:

1. The key consists of a “blade” (the metal part) and the “remote” (the plastic part with the buttons).
2. The “blade” must be cut to fit your car. This can only be done at the smart headquarters and, therefore, may take up to six days for the dealer to get.
3. The “remote” contains a “RF Chip” that has a specific frequency and MUST BE PROGRAMMED by a smart dealer to your car. A sensor in/near the ignition switch picks up the frequency to enable the starter. This is the reason for the slight delay you experience after you turn the key before the starter engages. Without a properly programmed “remote”, the key “blade” alone WILL NOT START YOUR CAR!
4. There is no “Valet Key” available for your smart (unlike virtually every other manufacturer).

Therefore, if you lose your key and the other is not readily available, you will find yourself in a situation where your only choice may be to have your car towed to the nearest smart dealership and to wait up to six days to get back on the road. A replacement “blade,” “remote,” and programming can easily run $250.00 plus the cost of the tow.

To address this situation, I purchased two extra “blades” and one extra “remote.” I have duct taped one of the “blades” to the back of my front license plate. This “blade” can be used to unlock the driver’s door manually. I have hidden the other complete key (“blade” and “remote”) inside the car. This way I will always be able to get into and start my car but even if a thief found the “blade” on the back of the license plate, he still couldn’t start the car.

I got an insurance.

2008-09-26T02:09:30.412Z

I got an insurance.

Insurance for the key is a go…

2008-09-26T00:48:03.980Z

Insurance for the key is a good way to go. I did it the same way. I guess the good news is bad guys are not getting my car.

My dealer told me $375 to get…

2008-09-25T21:06:41.951Z

My dealer told me $375 to get a copy of my key for my ForTwo