Losing or needing to replace your Toyota Prius key fob can be a hassle, but programming a new one for your 2006 model doesn’t have to be. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process to program a genuine Toyota key fob for your 2006 Prius. It’s important to note that this procedure is specifically designed for brand new key fobs purchased from a certified Toyota dealer. Aftermarket fobs, particularly those from online marketplaces, may not be compatible with all the features, especially the Smart Key System (SKS).
This guide is tailored for the second generation (Gen II) Prius, often referred to when discussing key fob programming for this model year. Follow these procedures carefully to ensure successful programming of your new 2006 Prius key fob.
Procedure A: Initial Programming for Start/Stop Functionality (All Fobs)
This initial programming procedure is crucial for all new key fobs, regardless of whether they have a black or chrome logo, or if your Prius is equipped with Smart Key System (SKS) functionality. This procedure will enable the basic start/stop engine function when the key fob is inserted into the key slot.
1. Initial Setup: Get inside your 2006 Prius, ensuring all doors are closed and unlocked. Make sure your car is completely turned off.
2. Insert and Remove Existing Fob (Chicken Dance Initiation): Take your old, working key fob and insert it into the key slot. Remove it immediately. Repeat this insert and remove action a total of four times in a row. On the fifth insertion, leave the old key fob inserted in the slot.
3. Door Cycling: Open and close the driver’s side door six times in quick succession.
4. Remove Old Fob and Enter Programming Mode: Take out the old key fob from the slot. At this point, your 2006 Prius should be in key fob programming mode. You’ll notice the red anti-theft light on your dashboard remaining illuminated (not flashing).
5. Program New Fob (Start/Stop): Insert your new key fob into the slot and leave it there for a full minute. Keep an eye on the blinking red anti-theft light on the dashboard. After approximately one minute, the red anti-theft light should stop flashing and turn off completely. This indicates that the basic START/STOP function has been successfully programmed to your new key fob.
6. Completion of Procedure A: Remove the new key fob from the slot. You have now completed the START/STOP programming portion.
Depending on your key fob type and your Prius model’s features, proceed to the appropriate procedure below:
- If you have a chrome logo key fob and your vehicle has Smart Key System (SKS) functionality, proceed to PROCEDURE B.
- If you have a black logo key fob and your vehicle does not have Smart Key System (SKS) functionality, proceed to PROCEDURE C.
- If you are unsure about SKS or have completed Procedure A and only need basic start/stop, you can test your fob now.
Procedure B: Programming Chrome Logo Key Fobs for SKS Functionality
This procedure is specifically for chrome logo key fobs and 2006 Prius models equipped with the Smart Key System (SKS). This will program the remote lock/unlock door functions and enable the SMART KEY (keyless entry and start) functionality.
1. Driver Door Open, No Fob in Slot: Open the driver’s side door and leave it open. Ensure there is no key fob currently inserted in the key slot. Confirm the driver’s door is unlocked. The status of other doors (locked or unlocked) does not matter. Complete the next step within 5 seconds.
2. Insert and Remove Old Fob Twice: Take your old, working key fob and insert it into the key slot, then remove it immediately. Repeat this insert and remove action one more time (for a total of two times). Complete steps 3 and 4 within 40 seconds of finishing step 2.
3. Door Cycling (Again): Close and then open the driver’s side door twice.
4. Insert and Remove Old Fob Once More: Insert your old key fob into the slot and remove it immediately once. Complete steps 5, 6, 7, and 8 within 40 seconds of completing step 4.
5. Door Cycling (Yet Again): Close and open the driver’s side door twice again.
6. Insert Old Fob and Close Door: Insert your old key fob into the slot and then close the driver’s door.
7. Enter Accessory Mode (Without Starting Engine): Without pressing the brake pedal, press the power button on your Prius. Wait for one second, press it again, wait another second, and then press it a third time to turn the car back off. This should put your Prius in accessory mode and then turn it off, without starting the engine.
8. Remove Old Fob and Enter “Add Mode”: Remove the old key fob from the slot. At this point, your Prius should enter “add mode” for key fob programming. Within 3 seconds, the car should automatically lock and unlock the doors to confirm it has entered add mode. The number of lock/unlock cycles may vary slightly depending on the specific 2006 Prius model, but it should cycle at least once. If the doors do not cycle, return to step 1 and repeat Procedure B from the beginning. If the doors do cycle, proceed to step 9.
9. Programming the New and Old Fobs: Steps 9a, 9b, and 9c need to be started within 40 seconds of completing step 8.
9a: Program Old/Master Fob: Press and hold the Lock and Unlock buttons simultaneously on your OLD/MASTER key fob. Hold them for a couple of seconds. The doors should cycle (lock and unlock) once. If you don’t get this cycle, it could be due to a weak CR 2032 battery in your old fob. Replace the battery in your old fob and try step 9a again.
9b: Program New Fob: Immediately after step 9a, press and hold the Lock and Unlock buttons simultaneously on your NEW key fob. Hold them for about 1.5 seconds. Some users have reported needing to repeat this step twice for successful programming. If it doesn’t work the first time, try executing step 9b again immediately.
9c: Finalize New Fob Programming: Within three seconds of step 9b, press the Lock button on the NEW key fob. If the programming is successful, the doors should cycle (lock/unlock) once to confirm. It might take a moment for the lock/unlock cycle to occur, so wait patiently. If you wait for more than a minute and there is no cycle, proceed to step 10 and test the SKS functions of your new fob to see if they work. If they do, it’s possible the programming was successful despite the lack of immediate lock/unlock confirmation.
9d. Program Additional New Fobs (Optional): If you need to program another new key fob, repeat steps 9a, 9b, and 9c for each additional new fob you want to program.
10. Exit Programming Mode: To end the key fob programming process, simply open and then close the driver’s door, or insert any key fob into the key slot.
Procedure C: Programming Black Logo Key Fobs (Non-SKS Vehicles)
This procedure is for black logo key fobs and 2006 Prius vehicles without Smart Key System (SKS) functionality. This will program the remote lock/unlock door functions for these non-SKS models.
1. Driver Door Open, Doors Unlocked, No Fob in Slot: Open the driver’s door and ensure it remains open. Make sure all doors are unlocked and that there is no key fob in the key slot.
2. Insert and Remove Old Fob Twice: Take your old, working key fob and insert it into the key slot, then remove it immediately. Repeat this insert and remove action one more time within 5 seconds (for a total of two times).
3. Door Cycling: Close and then open the driver’s side door twice.
4. Insert and Remove Old Fob Once More: Insert your old key fob into the slot and remove it immediately once.
5. Door Cycling (Again): Close and open the driver’s side door twice again.
6. Insert Old Fob and Close Door: Insert your old key fob into the slot and then close the driver’s door.
7. Enter Accessory Mode (Without Starting Engine): Without pressing the brake pedal, press the power button on your Prius. Wait for one second, press it again, wait another second, and then press it a third time to turn the car back off.
8. Remove Old Fob and Enter “Add Mode”: Remove the old key fob from the slot. Your Prius should now be in “add mode”.
9. Verify “Add Mode” (Lock/Unlock Cycle): The car should automatically lock and unlock the doors twice to verify that it has successfully entered “add mode”.
10. Program New Fob (Button Hold): Press and hold both buttons (Lock and Unlock) on your new key fob simultaneously for about 1.5 seconds.
11. Finalize New Fob Programming (Lock Button Press): Within 3 seconds of step 10, press just the Lock button on the new key fob.
12. Verify Programming Success (Lock/Unlock Response): The car should respond with one quick lock/unlock cycle to confirm that the new key fob is successfully programmed. If the car responds with two lock/unlock cycles, this indicates that the programming was unsuccessful. In this case, try the procedure again, ensure you are using a genuine new Toyota fob, or consider that there might be too many fobs already programmed to your vehicle.
13. Exit Programming Mode: To end the programming process, open and then close the driver’s door, or insert any key fob into the slot.
OEM Key Fob Part Numbers for 2006 Prius
For your reference, here are the genuine Toyota (OEM) part numbers for 2006 Prius key fobs:
- OEM Fob Part # for Smart Access (SKS): 89994-47061
- OEM Fob Part # for Non-Smart Access (Non-SKS): 89070-47180
Important Tip: It is highly recommended to practice these steps a few times as a “dry run” without the new fob present to familiarize yourself with the timing and sequence of actions. This can increase your success rate when you perform the actual programming.
Video Resource
For a visual guide, you can find helpful videos online demonstrating the “chicken dance” key fob programming procedure for the 2006 Prius. (Link to a relevant YouTube video demonstrating the process can be inserted here for enhanced user experience)
Source and Further Reading:
This procedure is based on collective knowledge and user experiences shared within the Toyota Prius community. For more in-depth discussions and troubleshooting tips, refer to this PriusChat forum thread:
PriusChat Forum – Important Experience Key Fob Programming Issues
