If your car key fob’s range has diminished, the buttons aren’t responding to your touch, or the vehicle is having trouble recognizing its proximity, the key fob battery is probably dead.
Yes, it is possible to replace the battery in your key fob, and it’s easier than you think. All you need is a small, flat-tipped screwdriver and a new battery.
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5 simple steps to replace the battery in your car’s key fob
Photo: The News Wheel
Step 1: Find the notch to open the fob
This is the trickiest part because the notch may not be obvious. On some units, there’s a small gap at the top, but for others, you might have to inspect the connection point where the emergency key slides out.
Photo: The News Wheel
Step 2: Use the screwdriver to pop it open
Slide the flat-tipped screwdriver into the slot and wedge it open. The whole unit should open in half down the middle, revealing a round battery inside.
Photo: The News Wheel
Step 3: Identify the battery type
Look closely at the battery inside and look for markings on it that will reveal what model the battery is. Buy a brand-new battery of the same kind.
Photo: The News Wheel
Step 4: Replace the old battery with a new one
The old battery should come out with ease if you pop it out with your finger. The new battery slides right in where the old one was.
Photo: The News Wheel
Step 5: Snap the fob shut
Now that you have a new key in place, you can close up the key fob. It should click back into place when you squeeze it.
Depending on the quality of the replacement battery you purchased, how often you drive, and if the battery is a proximity key that drains quicker, you might have to replace the battery every five years or so.
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Aaron is unashamed to be a native Clevelander and the proud driver of a Hyundai Veloster Turbo (which recently replaced his 1995 Saturn SC-2). He gleefully utilizes his background in theater, literature, and communication to dramatically recite his own articles to nearby youth. Mr. Widmar happily resides in Dayton, Ohio with his magnificent wife, Vicki, but is often on the road with her exploring new destinations. Aaron has high aspirations for his writing career but often gets distracted pondering the profound nature of the human condition and forgets what he was writing… See more articles by Aaron.
