Question 1

Do I have to go to the Lexus dealer to get a replacement smart key for my 2017 RC?

Accepted Answer

No. A mobile automotive locksmith with the right diagnostic equipment can cut and program a replacement fob for your 2017 RC on site, wherever the car is parked. The dealer is not the only path.

The dealer route has a few real friction points: you need an appointment, you may need to wait for the fob to be ordered, and if you have no working key at all, you are looking at a tow on top of everything else. With EZ Car Keyz, the job gets done in one visit. I come to you in Wagon Wheel or anywhere in Oxnard, program the new fob to your vehicle at the car, and you walk away with a working key the same day.

Question 2

What exactly is a smart key and how does it work on the 2017 Lexus RC?

Accepted Answer

A smart key is a proximity-based fob that the vehicle detects when you approach. The 2017 RC fob has four buttons and a concealed emergency blade that slides out for manual door entry if the fob battery dies or the system has a problem.

The fob communicates with the vehicle's security system to authorize starting the car. If the fob is not recognized, the car will not start regardless of how the blade is cut. That is why programming matters as much as cutting. A correctly cut but unprogrammed fob is just a piece of plastic as far as the car is concerned.

The emergency blade is also cut to your specific vehicle, so that part has to be done right too, either by code or by decoding your lock directly.

Question 3

How long does the dealer process actually take for a Lexus RC key replacement?

Accepted Answer

Longer than most people expect, and the wait is rarely the programming itself. The actual time in the bay once everything is ready is typically under an hour. The problem is everything before that: getting an appointment, waiting on parts to arrive, and in some cases dealers that can only process one fob order per VIN per visit.

Lexus RC owners on forums have reported waits ranging from a few days to several weeks depending on parts availability at their specific dealer. If you have no working key at all, you also need to arrange a tow to get the car there, which adds time and cost before the job even starts.

With EZ Car Keyz, I come to you in Oxnard, bring the fob and the tools, and finish the job in one visit. No tow, no appointment queue, no parts delay.

Question 4

I have one working key for my 2017 RC. Should I get a spare made now or wait until I need one?

Accepted Answer

Get the spare made now. Adding a second key while you still have one working fob is faster, simpler, and less expensive than dealing with an all-keys-lost situation later.

When you have a working key present during programming, the process is cleaner. All-keys-lost requires a full security reset through the diagnostic port, which takes longer and costs more because the procedure itself is more involved. Plenty of RC owners on Lexus forums mention regretting that they waited until the one key they had finally stopped working. At that point they are also dealing with the stress of a car that won't start, not just a routine errand.

One spare key made today in your driveway in Wagon Wheel is a much easier afternoon than a tow and an emergency call later.

Question 5

My 2017 RC shows a key warning on the dash but the fob battery is new. What else could cause that?

Accepted Answer

A few things beyond the battery. First, check where you are standing when you get the warning. If you are near a source of radio frequency interference, like certain garage door openers, wireless charging pads, or even some phones held right against the fob, the car can have trouble reading the signal. Move a few feet away and try again.

If the warning is intermittent rather than constant, the battery contact inside the fob is worth checking. A contact that lost its tension from repeated battery swaps can cause weak or inconsistent reads even with a fresh CR1632 seated correctly.

If the warning is consistent and none of that resolves it, the fob itself may need evaluation. The internal components on these do age, and a fob that has been dropped, cracked, or exposed to moisture can fail in ways that a new battery won't fix. That is when it makes sense to have the fob tested against the vehicle with proper diagnostic equipment before spending money on a full replacement.

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