How do I tell if the key I have to my car is a master key?
 

The 2002 GS300 I recently bought only came with 1 key. How can I tell if this is a master key?

It has the remote keys in it that lock, unlock doors and the trunk.

the keys in the black housing with the remote button options are the master keys

Awesome, thanks for the quick reply. I figured it was a master but got confused because of it's short size.

So all I would need to do now to get a second key is to buy a transponder key blank from ebay, get it cut at a locksmith and then program it in the car correct?

depends if you have maxed out the ECU (i think it was 6?) or not

but yes 4c transponder on ebay if you don't need the remote functions
programming instructions are available everywhere

Yea I saw plenty of threads that have various methods of programming the keys from a master.

Is there a way to determine the amount of keys the ECU currently believes it has programmed?

Hey man where in Jersey are you? Im right near seaside. But anyway I just went through this myself because I only had 1 master key and I couldn't find any local locksmiths that would duplicate a car key for me. They all said no because of people getting keys made to steal cars. I ended up paying $250 at Ray Catena in Freehold which sucked.

Wow $250 for a key really sounds crazy.

I'm in the Woodbridge area so a bit north of you. I'm pretty sure Dekoff's Perth Amboy Lock can cut auto keys, or at least thats what their website says.

I also saw that they can be cut at Sewell Lexus Parts via mail (http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2002/4644.html) for $40.00. Still a big savings over what you paid.