Question 1

Do you use OEM or aftermarket keys on Lexus vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Fresh, unregistered blanks built to the factory spec for the fob. On the 2020 LS specifically, the immobilizer is not forgiving about what it will accept. A used fob from another LS, even a genuine one, is permanently bound to the vehicle it was originally registered to and cannot be transferred. Two locksmiths and a dealer service department cannot change that. It's not a tool limitation, it's how the system was designed.

We've seen owners buy what looked like a good deal on a used fob online and end up with a paperweight. Starting with a verified, never-registered blank is the only path that actually works on this car.

Question 2

How long will the replacement key last?

Accepted Answer

The programming itself doesn't degrade. Once the fob is registered to the vehicle, that relationship is stable for the life of the car. What does wear over time is mechanical: the rubber button pads compress and lose tactile response, the shell can crack if it gets dropped, and the battery eventually runs down. The CR2032 in the 2020 LS fob typically holds up well, but if you notice reduced range before any other symptoms, swap the battery first. We install a fresh one with every key we make.

Question 3

What if the new key stops working after a few weeks?

Accepted Answer

Call us. The work is covered under our warranty.

That said, on the 2020 LS, a fob that works at delivery and then goes intermittent is usually a vehicle-side issue rather than a bad key. LS owners on forums have reported situations where a setting inside the vehicle's smart key menu was toggled off, either by the owner exploring the screen or by a shop that connected a scan tool and changed something in the configuration. The fob tests fine in isolation but the car stops responding to it. It's worth checking the in-vehicle smart key settings before assuming the programming failed. We troubleshoot the actual cause rather than just swapping hardware.

Question 4

Can I add a second smart key to my 2020 LS myself, or do I need a technician?

Accepted Answer

You need a technician with the right equipment. There is no button sequence or ignition-cycle trick on this vehicle that will register a new smart fob. The immobilizer requires a diagnostic connection to authorize and write new key data. That's true whether you're adding a spare or replacing a lost key. If you already have one working key, the process is shorter than an all-keys-lost situation, but it still requires professional tools either way.

Question 5

I lost both keys to my 2020 LS. Is all-keys-lost actually fixable without going to the dealer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but it is the most involved version of the job. When no working key exists, the system has to be approached differently than a simple add-a-key. On the 2020 LS, all-keys-lost typically means reading and resetting the security module at the chip level before any new fob can be introduced. That's what the bench tool is for. A locksmith who only carries a standard OBD-based key programmer may get partway through and stall out.

The process wipes the previous key registrations, which is actually a good thing if you're concerned about a missing fob being used by someone else. Once reset, the new fob or fobs are enrolled as the only registered keys. Plan for roughly an hour to ninety minutes on site. It's a real job, but it doesn't require a dealer or a flatbed.

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