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The intermingling of technology and automobiles continues, with digital key offerings from most vehicle makers. Digital keys utilize smartphone technology to expand vehicle access and owner convenience. How does this affect repairs? Let’s take a look at what Toyota/Lexus has to offer.
Toyota/Lexus offers ways to gain access and start their vehicles besides a physical key or key fob, such as a digital key that allows start with drive-off. Digital keys are available on select 2022 and newer models. Toyota and Lexus each offer a webpage with a search function to determine if a digital key is available by model and year:
Toyota/Lexus has digital key-related documents in vehicle-specific repair manuals under: Vehicle Interior ➤ Theft Deterrent/Keyless Entry ➤ Digital Key System.
For example, per the 2025 Toyota 4Runner Digital Key System: Precautions document:
- "When diagnosing a vehicle at a dealer, all of the following items must be brought to the dealer by the customer.
- Electrical key transmitter sub-assembly
- Owner key"
An area in this document called Caution When Replacing Parts has a list of digital key system parts and links to the Registration Procedure document.
Per the 2025 Toyota 4Runner linked Registration Procedure found under: Vehicle Interior ➤ Theft Deterrent/Keyless Entry ➤ Smart Key System: "Code registration is necessary when any of the following parts is replaced with a new one. After replacing a part, any part that has performed registration cannot be returned."
This list includes Bluetooth digital key receivers and the front outer door handle assemblies.
Check out the App-Based Connected Services Considerations: Toyota/Lexus article to learn other considerations associated with this technology.
Performing necessary initializations after disconnecting the battery and restoring any modified vehicle settings before returning the vehicle to the owner helps ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.
For additional Toyota/Lexus information, check out the following pages:
Toyota OEM Information
Lexus OEM Information
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