The automotive sector has advanced quite a bit over the past few decades. There have been differences in numerous components and compartments of most recently built vehicles.
One of those major improvements is the computerized systems that allow most recent cars to use a keyless remote or key fob.
This function makes it extremely easy to start your car, switching it off, locking and unlocking the doors etc. The downside is that the remote uses batteries and they can run out.
This article tells you what to do whenever you find yourself with a keyless remote battery low situation.
So now, if you are driving around in a modern car as it is, with electronic operations like a keyless remote, I’m sure you need this bit of information and it doesn’t matter the make or the model. It should also be helpful in handling low remote batteries on CRVs.
How do I know if my key fob battery is low?
Knowing when your car’s key fob battery is low will save you from embarrassing situations, such as being stuck because the key fob wouldn’t start your car.
There are also obvious indications your key fob will show you when the battery runs low. Some of these include the following:
- When the key fob needs several presses to unlock doors.
- Inconsistency in the right functioning of the key fob.
- Declining signal strength.
- Activation of the key fob battery light.
In any of the conditions mentioned above as indicators of when your car key fob battery is low, it will be best that you take up the challenge right away. I am sure you do not want to know how it feels to have a car key fob with a dead battery!
What Do I Do If My Keyless Remote Battery Is Low?
First, you should ensure that your car’s keyless remote battery never gets low. But if you find yourself in a situation where the battery is running low, there’s a solution.
Most modern cars have a security chip in the remote or in the key fob itself that will enable you to unlock the vehicle without the battery.
However, this works from a very short range to the vehicle. You’d have to try and get very close to the car and hold the start button on your smart fob before you can start the vehicle.
The best solution to such an unfortunate occurrence is to replace the battery in your keyless remote. Other alternatives for handling the remote may just work for now, but you can’t continue to rely on them, else an unplanned situation sprung on you.
What Does Keyless Remote Battery Low Mean?
Modern cars with electronic configuration that operate with keyless remotes also have a battery usage tracking system. The computer helps to keep track of the power (voltage) output of the keyless remote’s battery.
In most cars, the system is designed in such a way that when the battery power goes down to a certain extent, it triggers the keyless remote battery low light on your car’s dashboard.
The light is meant to ensure that you are made aware before the car’s remote battery discharges to the extent that starting the vehicle, locking or unlocking the doors, etc. becomes quite a task or even impossible.
Should it happen that the remote low battery warning light appears suddenly on the dashboard, ensure you do well to quickly change the battery.
Don’t manage it around or delay so until the battery goes dead someday and leaves you stranded. Change the keyless remote battery immediately.
How To Change Keyless Remote Battery
Changing your car’s low remote batteries is very easy, but you want to be sure to get the right battery for the remote and also fix it right to work. Follow these steps to change your car’s low or dead keyless remote battery.
Step 1: Open the fob/remote: Once you get hold of the battery right for your car’s keyless remote at a reliable automobile accessories dealer, the first thing is to open the remote. It is pretty easy to know how to open the key fob to change the battery.
To do this, use any object that can help you to pry the remote open gently. You probably may not be able to open it using your hands. Be sure to first loosen the screw holding the two parts together (if any).
Step 2: Remove the old battery: After opening the remote, be sure to look and take note of how the original battery is placed, the positioning, and the signs facing up on it. The batteries are usually round and fixed in a rounded position.
Once you note the right position of the battery, remove the old battery by first sliding it out (if there is an open space by the side), if that does not work, check out for any clips that may be attached to the battery; then, carefully push the clips aside, and slide out the old battery.
Step 3: Fix the new battery: After removing the old battery, fix the new one with the old battery’s same order. You see why you have to take note of the position of the old battery!
Step 4: Close/lock the keyless remote/fob: After you have correctly fixed back the new battery, proceed to reverse the process you have used above to open the remote to enable you to lock it back. Be sure you observe the holes and the sides pointing into them to fix them right.
FAQs.
Q: How long will a low-battery key fob last?
So you are asking, how long do I have in a keyless remote battery low mode? Here’s the time frame. A low-battery key fob is relative to a smart key fob and a regular one.
The smart key fob with a low battery will work for a timeline of about 2 to 3 years, while a regular key fob with a low battery will last about 4 to 6 years respectively.
Since it said that nothing lasts forever, there is therefore a time frame allotted to any device in your possession, you must bear in mind. Your car and each of its components have also an allotted timeline of durability.
It then lies with your usage style, and maintenance culture if all those components will reach their full expected timeline.
It is no different with that of your car key fob. And if you’ve been wondering, how long is Honda keyless remote battery low situation managed before the battery is replaced?
It may be that the time frame cited above may be achievable for your low battery fob, while in some Honda keyless remote battery low situation, the expected timeline may not be achieved.
Q: Can low battery key fob prevent car from starting?
Yes, a low battery key fob can prevent your car from starting. Your car key fob is basically an electronic device housed in a casing and powered by a battery responsible for relaying signals from that key fob to your vehicle.
The computerized systems in your car interprets the alerts as dictated by what you press on your key fob; the car therefore responds and behaves accordingly.
The battery in your car’s key fob is therefore important to the operation of your car as discussed; therefore, if is low, you may not be able to start your vehicle except perhaps by jumpstarting. If your Honda keyless remote battery is low, it may interfere with your ability to start the car.
Q: Can you drive a keyless car without the key?
Of course, you can drive a keyless car without the key fob. If you have a newer car with computerized systems, you do not use old-school car keys to drive the car or start the engine. You drive it with buttons and a keyless remote.
If you own a keyless car, you can drive it without the key fob, so long as the engine is running. You will be able to drive around, shift gears and park with no challenge whatsoever.
The only thing that is of utmost importance is that the car’s engine never goes off because since the key fob is responsible for starting the car, letting the engine chop off when you know that the key fob is out of reach is a real issue because you will not be able to start the car anymore until you seek assistance from an auto technician.
Q: Can I drive with keyless remote battery low?
When your car’s keyless remote battery is low, you will still be able to drive around, shift gears and even park. The key is not even needed for the car to run as long as you start the engine properly. You may survive for a long time driving around without a key fob or a remote.
One thing you must not allow to happen is to let the car go off. If at some point the engine shuts off while the remote battery is low, trying to figure out how to start the car and take off could be a tough matter.
Now should in case you are thinking in the line of what to do in a situation of low remote battery on Acura, the best thing to do when your car’s remote battery is low, is to replace it asap!
Q: What type of battery does my car remote need?
Once you discover a failure in your car remote’s proper activities, the battery is likely either low on power or dead completely.
In this case, the best thing to do is to get a fresh battery into that remote, so you do not have a hard time slugging it out with repeatedly clicking or looking for someone to help jumpstart your car.
Some of the common types of batteries that your car remote may need include CR2032 3-Volt and CR2025 Volt batteries. You can check out auto parts or accessories dealers for a replacement for your car remote low battery.
Q: How long do car remote batteries last?
Your car remote battery is meant to last about 3 – 6 months under normal circumstance. The battery is not for a life time so you being aware of this will awaken you to get prepared for a change whenever need arise.
Though remotes batteries for cars are to last about 3 – 6 months, it may be less due to different circumstances that may arise, such as improper usage style, storage, etc.
Try to check with a professional auto technician to find out why your car remote battery drains faster than normal, or does not last as it is meant to.
Q: Do dealerships replace key fob batteries?
Yes, dealerships replace key fob batteries, especially when bought from the dealerships. Most of them actually include this service for easy replacement of the fob battery for car owners whenever need arises. It will only take few dollars to get a replacement for your car key fob battery.
Q: How much does it cost to replace the key fob battery?
It is relatively cheap to replace your car’s key fob battery. Replacing your car’s key fob battery has generally been put at about $3.70 to $9, tax inclusive. The price does not include labor because labor is free.
A car accessories dealer will definitely help you replace your car’s key fob battery without collecting a dime from you when you purchase it from them. The cost of replacement may vary from dealer to dealer and location to location.
Final Words
Understanding what to do when you have a keyless remote battery situation saves you some worries if not from being stranded.
Since most modern cars come equipped with computerized systems to ensure that you are not caught unawares, make sure to utilize them.
Search through your car’s dashboard for the keyless battery low warning light; take every slight malfunction of your car’s remote seriously, and replace the battery when it is right for you to do so.