Losing or damaging your car keys can be a real headache, and the thought of getting a replacement, especially for modern cars with key fobs, can be daunting and expensive. Recently, I needed to program new key fobs and keys for my Toyota, and I decided to try out the Tom’s Key programmer I ordered online. My experience turned out to be surprisingly straightforward, and I wanted to share the process.
The Tom’s Key programmer arrived promptly and included a prepaid return shipping label, which was convenient. They also provide a 30-day return window before charging a deposit, giving peace of mind. The programming process itself was quite simple. It easily erased the existing programs and allowed me to add my new fobs and keys. The only minor issue I encountered was during the key programming stage. Initially, it seemed to stall and not complete. After a bit of troubleshooting, I realized that keeping my other keys away from the ignition switch seemed to resolve the problem. On the first attempt, programming two new, uncut keys failed, but on the second try, each key programmed successfully in about 40 seconds.
With the programming complete, the next step was getting the new keys cut. This proved to be a bit more of an adventure than anticipated. My first stop was Lowe’s, but they were out of the correct type of keys. After purchasing keys online, I returned to Lowe’s, only to find one machine broken and the other unable to read the chip in my existing key. Home Depot was my next attempt, but the staff informed me they couldn’t cut keys they didn’t sell. Returning to Lowe’s again, I received a similar response. Finally, remembering a local, old-fashioned hardware store, I went there, thinking they would be able to help. While they couldn’t cut the keys themselves, they directed me to a local locksmith shop. The locksmith had limited hours, open only on weekdays, so I had to wait until Monday. However, the wait was worth it. In just five minutes and for only $10, I had two perfectly cut keys ready for my Toyota Tundra.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Tom’s Key (https://tomskey.com) for anyone looking for a hassle-free solution to programming their Toyota key fobs. It eliminates the complexities and potential risks associated with purchasing your own programmer and potentially using pirated software. While I acknowledge that Techstream software might offer more advanced configuration options, I am completely satisfied with the outcome and the simplicity of using Tom’s Key. It was a convenient and effective way to handle my Toyota key programming needs.
