Over the last few years, one of the many advancements in-vehicle technology is keyless vehicle entry. These keyless remote fobs control the locking and unlocking of your vehicle as well as trunk entry and sometimes window controls too.
The benefits that come with this feature are endless, however, what do you do when your keyless remote battery is low. You may find yourself stuck in a very tricky situation.
There are a few things you can do if your keyless vehicle remote has run out of the battery to gain access to your vehicle without any hassle. We’ve also included some handy information on battery changes to save you money at the garage too.
You may be confused about what happens when your key fob battery is low. Often you will find your car has a security chip within the remote key fob so even when the battery fails or is very low, you can still gain access to your vehicle until you can get a replacement.
If your battery is low and you find you can’t gain access, place your key fob as close to your vehicle as possible to enable vehicle startup.
Although this may work in the short term, you must get the battery changed before this option no longer works and you find yourself stranded without access to your vehicle.
Luckily most keyless access comes with a system designed to prevent you from being left without access to your vehicle. The modern electronic configurations track the battery usage and help to power the voltage of the battery of the keyless remote fob.
It will also trigger the keyless remote battery low light on your dashboard and you will probably start finding it difficult to make use of the keyless fobs functions. You should change the batteries as soon as possible when you find yourself stuck with these problems to prevent any further issues.
If you have accidentally left it too long before replacing your key fobs batteries then you may find yourself stuck locked out of your vehicle, unable to gain access or start the engine. We have gathered a few solutions if you find yourself locked out of your vehicle and looking for a way to gain entry and start your engine.
The first option is a more obvious one, but by swapping out the battery in your key fob then you can solve your access issue and you easily replace the battery yourself for around $5. You can access the battery in your fob key with either a coin or a small screwdriver to get under the battery cover.
The battery in your key fob will look like a silver button and have numbers that identify the type of battery. Make sure you replace the battery with the same type to prevent any issues with your key fob.
A lot of vehicle models will come with an unlocking service so if you find yourself without access to your key fob then you can still gain access via a pre-set-up PIN. Here are some examples
There are several other vehicle models that all offer similar services and often come with their applications for these features and more. Check with your vehicle manufacturer for more information.
If the previous steps are not available for you, then your fob may have a hidden key for this scenario. If your fob has a leather jacket on them you can remove it and release a small catch to release a mechanical key and pop this out to manually enter through your driver’s door without the need for your keyless entry fob.
Once you gain access to your vehicle then you can usually start the vehicle fairly easily. Often the system will have been designed to work with a non-functioning fob remote and has backups built into the key fob to use without a key.
Often there is a hidden key slot on your steering column that may be located under a plastic cap that will easily pop off and reveal a key slot.
If you have push START technology then there is often a backup system installed for this very situation so you can get your vehicle to start with no issues. Use your key fob to push your START button and this should work.
Leaving your fob near the vehicle overnight can lead to a faster drain on your fob keys battery. Typically the battery on your key fob should last 3 to 4 years with regular normal use.
The most popular battery for a car key fob is the CR2032. The numbers indicate the diameter and height of the battery.
Yes, your key fob’s battery can cause your vehicle not to start.
If your key fob uses a widely available battery then you can usually pick one up for around $5.
After you replace the battery in your key fob you will not need to reprogram it.
It is easy to forget about replacing the batteries in your key fob and many times this forgetfulness may leave you without access to your vehicle.
Knowing how to replace your car key fob battery and how to gain access to your vehicle without the use of a wireless key fob are important pieces of information and usually, vehicles will come with their own backup safety features to enable you to regain access to your vehicle with a dead key fob battery.
