Ask the Car People.SM


Lexus ES 300/ES 330

5443 messages,  Last post on Aug 14, 2010 at 9:21 AM

You are in the Lexus ES Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Lexus ES 330, Sedan

Messages Page 520 of 545

#5191 of 5443 ES300 keys by larry1

Feb 07, 2006 (6:21 pm)

The 2 keys with keyless entry are master keys. That means they will unluck the trunk and the glovebox lock, where the valet key will not. They are masters, because they operate everyhing. A standard key terminology.
 
"Cut a key" meant to cut the proper pattern in the metal part of the key.
 
You are correct, you can not pass programming info from one key to another. And you are correct, the key does not pass information to the engine.
 
What happens is you insert a transponder key (a key with a transponder [transmitter/responder] inside the head of the key-like the two masters and the valet) that has been programmed to your your car in the ignition cylinder. There is a ring around the ignition key slot that sends a signal from the car's Engine Control Module, aka Engine Control Unit, aka ECM, aka ECU, to the key. This signal does not come from the actual engine. If the key receives that signal and transmits the proper signal back through the ring around the ignition key cylinder to the ECU, then the ECU will allow the engine to start.
 
Yes, the locksmith does not give you a program. The car already contains the ability to program a new master key. But Lexus wants to keep it a secret, so they can gouge you. The locksmith who posted the page with the info, let the secret out:)
 
If you read the website link that I gave you, you will see how to delete the stolen keyless entry, also called a remote (control) master, so that the stolen key will no longer start the engine.
 
I watched all of this done myself on my 2000 ES 300 a few months ago right in front of me at the locksmith's shop in Phoenix. The same guy, Charley, who is the author of the website link I posted in my last post.
 
I don't know how to program a key so that the remote buttons will operate the sunroof, etc. In order to save a thousand dollars or so, as you stated in your post, aren't you willing to live without that on your spare key? Or call the locksmith on the website and ask him if he knows how to do it.
 
I haven't seen your wallet key, but I am almost 100% certain that it will not start the engine. That key is useful only if you happen to have that key available when you have locked your other key inside the car.

#5192 of 5443 re: standard stereo by dardson1

Feb 07, 2006 (7:28 pm)

We had an 02 (or was it 01. . . the old body) ES300. It was a great car and had one of the best stock stereos I've experienced. Seems the salesman told me they didn't bother ordering the upgrade system because the stock one was a 190w Alpine that sounded just as good. When my wife moved to an RX330 in '04 I gave her new sound system points for trying but without a trunk it just didn't have the bass.
  Last month we inherited her mom's 06 ES330 (800 miles), and are considering keeping it sinced it only had 800 miles and the RX lease is almost up. I drove it today looking forward to the great sound we got in the old EX. Much as I like the new sedan, that stock stereo sounds like it's made for an easy-listening grandma. Turn it up much and it turns to mush even with that nice sub in the middle behind the back seat. It doesn't sound like it has any power. What happened? My daughter's $22k Honda sounds like a concert hall by contrast.

#5193 of 5443 RE: Key and Security for ES (Larry1) by toydriver

Feb 07, 2006 (8:33 pm)

Larry, how sure are you that the "re-key" instructions that you describe work for the 2002-2006 ES300/330 ?
 
You said that you watched while it was performed on your 2000 ES model, which could have different electronics than the current model.

#5194 of 5443 why buy now by scott77

Feb 07, 2006 (8:34 pm)

I just bought a new ES330, even with the new model around the corner. The dealer was willing to discount the car $3K. I was trading in a 2001 MB C-Class, which we'd had a few problems with, and wanted the Lexus reliability now. Yeah, I know...having the newest ES would be nice, but I wasn't waiting for the next problem with the Benz to arrive.

#5196 of 5443 RE: Key and Security for ES (Larry1) [toydriver] by larry1

Feb 07, 2006 (11:04 pm)

Replying to: toydriver (Feb 07, 2006 8:33 pm)
You can call Locksmith Charley at 1-800-313-KEYS (5397) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Arizona time Monday-Friday and ask him. His website is www.locksmithcharley.com That website doesn't specify any differences for newer models, but you can read it yourself, or better yet, call him. And it isn't re-keying. It is reprogramming the key.

#5197 of 5443 RE: Key and Security for ES (Larry1) [larry1] by atoews

Feb 09, 2006 (11:00 am)

Replying to: larry1 (Feb 07, 2006 11:04 pm)
toydriver,
 
Before I'd go with locksmith Charley, I'd try your local Lexus dealer again. In my experience, the predominant cost of getting a new key is in procuring the replacement key. My Lexus dealer quotes $350 to replace a "master" key plus about $60 for reprogramming your new key plus all your other keys. (Note that larry1's second website advertises replacement keys for $177, less expensive than the $350 quoted by my dealer.)
 
If you buy a new key from the dealer, you may be able to negotiate the programming for free. I have lost a couple of "master" keys, and have not had to pay for reprogramming yet. The first time, the dealer allowed the price of the replacement key to cover the reprogramming too.
 
When you get a quote from your Lexus dealer, be sure to differentiate the cost of a replacement key separately from the cost of the programming. If you want to buy a key from the website, inform your dealer because that may impact what the dealer charges you for programming.
 
If your dealer charges $1000 just to reprogram your key, then you are indeed getting gouged and another Lexus dealer is likely to give you a better deal. Of course, go to locksmith Charley if all else fails, but I think doing it through a Lexus dealer is less risky.
 
I have a 2002 ES300.

#5198 of 5443 Re: ES300 keys [larry1] by atoews

Feb 09, 2006 (11:07 am)

Replying to: larry1 (Feb 07, 2006 6:21 pm)
By the way, the wallet key does start the engine. It is there for in case you lose your set of keys while away from your extra keys, so you can access your car before you can replace your keys.

#5199 of 5443 Re: ES300 keys [atoews] by fredvh

Feb 09, 2006 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: atoews (Feb 09, 2006 11:07 am)
What kind of mpg are you getting on your ES300?

#5200 of 5443 Re: ES300 keys [fredvh] by atoews

Feb 10, 2006 (11:20 am)

Replying to: fredvh (Feb 09, 2006 1:43 pm)
Please see msg #1269 under "Prices Paid and Buying Experience", Dec 22, 2005, where I answered your question previously. Below is my reply to your question.
 
================================
It is hard to really state the gas mileage I get. It varies from about 16-19 mpg in town and 26-28 mpg on the freeway.
  
Here is what I have observed however:
  
1. One pays a very high mpg price for accelerating.
2. One pays a very high mpg price for driving uphill. If one takes a two-way trip that is hilly, the lower mpg for the downhill part will not compensate for the higher mpg. of the uphill part. (A two-way trip theorectically equalizes the uphill/downhill portions there and back)
3. One pays a very high mpg price for stopping at fast food prices, which requires lots of acceleration/ stop and go.
  
As such it is really hard to tell whether the basic vehicle is providing good or bad gas mileage.
  
The only way that two drivers can get good comparison numbers is if they both live in a flat region, and they both have the same amount of stop and go when they drive in town.

Messages Page 520 of 545

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement