I consolidated my two mini-bag approach (from post #4).
Now I use just one (same idea).
It's been working perfectly since March.

 

I have a suggestion: I noticed you have so many electric/display/alert malfunctions in your car. How about put that altered fob away and take out your other one which hopefully is in factory condition,

see if you have the same malfunctions while using the unaltered fob.

google it up, there are associations with a faulty car fob and such malfunctions. Not specific to Lexus, but seen on locksmith forums.

 

Another way to lose 25 grams in weight is to consume 200 fewer calories that you would normally eat in a single day and continue your usual diet after that. It is generally accepted that consuming 3500 extra calories results in the gain of one pound (454 grams). So, by avoiding that Snickers bar today, you've effectively reduced the weight of 2 key fobs.

 

I don't see how removing the cover of a fob would cause all the malfunctions I've had, but I'm willing to give it a shot anyhow, just for fun.

One thing I don't think I've mentioned so far that could be related though is that around the time when the worst of the malfunctions occurred (the street names popping
up on the multi-info display no matter which screen I changed to) I was driving home on the highway in a rain storm and drove over a big puddle that caused
a bang on the bottom of the car.
I know water and electronics aren't exactly buddies. Are any electronics located on the bottom of the car? If so, could that have caused my car to go AWOL and continue to stay in that state for months after?

 

If only I could put my key fobs on the same Snickers diet!

 

Maybe 3D print a case?

 

I don't know much about 3D printing, but from my understanding, you can use just about any material you like for a 'print job'.
What material do you think would be solid, air-tight and light as a feather?

In any event, once my experiment with the original case is completed (if it didn't stop the malfunctions) I'll just go back to my
modification. It's light enough for me.

 

Keycard all the way! I put it in my wallet the day I took delivery. Never used the fobs.

 

Ok we bought a used 2021 base + premium. We did not get a “key card”. How do they work & how would I get one?

 

"How do they work?" By Magic, just like the big key fobs (and electronics, too). If the question were "How do I use it?" the answer would be: Just like a big key fob, but one that that has no buttons. With the key card in proximity to the car, you can start the car (not remotely but with the START button on the dash), open and lock the doors by touching the handles, and open the trunk. Only touch commands will work.
"How would I get one?" You would get one by buying it from a Lexus dealership. Since it has to be paired to your car, I would not trust any other source for a key card. BUT: You can find them on the aftermarket (eBay), but you will have to have a dealer pair it for you, so ask at the dealership if they will do that, and how much is the charge. Finally, ask at the dealership if your car will pair with a key card. I don't know what the compatible models are, but I believe that not all key-fob models are key-cardable. Ask first, because the cost of the card on eBay from a previous owner plus any charge you incur to have it paired might be more than getting a new one.

 

Keycard for the win.

Same here put in wallet and there it stays. Key fobs have gotten bigger and bigger I don't need another large bulge in my pocket.

 

To fix security weakness in the previous generation of keyless entry systems, Toyota/Lexus upgraded the security used in their current generation of SmartAccess key fobs/cards (including the seventh generation of ES) to strictly permit just a one time pairing of a fob/card to an immobilizer system. Once a fob/card is paired with an immobilizer system it can be used with no other immobilizer system. (Also, if paired fob/card is removed/unpaired from its paired immobilizer system that fob/card cannot be used for anything again.)

So, only a new, never used before SmartAccess key card compatible with the seventh generation ES's immobilizer system can be used. Also, access to the Toyota/Lexus keycode system used in pairing a SmartAccess key fob/card is strictly limited to authorized Toyota/Lexus dealerships and "Security Professional(s) " (e.g., locksmith) who is a current member of the NASTF Vehicle Security Professional Registry.

tfischer's advice/recommendation of going through a Lexus dealership to ensure you get the SmartAccess key card compatible with your seventh generation ES is the best way to proceed. The cost will definitely be more than the $100 cost of the SmartAccess key card option on a new ES purchase. If I found the correct Lexus part listing, the part itself has a list price close to $200 plus there'll be a service charge for pairing the card with your ES's immobilizer system and cutting the card's included mechanical key blank to work with you ES's mechanical key locks.

 

That's good to know, GRP. I hope the people buying the used key cards on eBay for $45.00 are aware. Also, I thought when I got my '24 ES that the $100.00 charge for the key card seemed pretty low. My guess is that Lexus wants to get them into circulation because they spark conversation. Everybody I have shown it to is amazed and probably a bit jealous.
Since I hardly ever have used the remote buttons on my fobs for the past 20 years, I really have no disadvantage to using the key card all the time.
ALSO: the card seemed to get a little weak a month or so ago, so I got (from Amazon, of course) an inexpensive pack of 4 CR2412 batteries, which I keep with my Lexus stuff (like my 2 big bebuttoned fobs, set to "sleep mode"). They have a long shelf life, and can be replaced in about 10 seconds with no tools, which will happen at the first sign of getting weak.

 

Thanks for reminding me.
I was thinking about possibly going the card route.
But now I remember that my dealer showed me the 'card' when I bought my new car.

Your mentioning the batteries triggered my memory that the 'card' is not flat like a credit card, but rather
more boxy or three-dimensional.

I think I compared it to my 2007 ES-350 FOB and they were quite close in weight.
So the card FOB will be very close to the weight of my modified FOB.