What to do if car key battery dead (smart entry key fob type) ?
Car key fobs are so convenient that it's easy to take them for granted. But did you know that your key fob needs routine maintenance? We should replace a small battery that powers the key fobs every two or three years. However, this will vary based on their amount of use and quality.
If your key fob were to stop working when you're far from home suddenly, you'd wish you had cared for it. Don't get stranded with a dead key fob battery. Here are some tips that you may need to deal with a dead key fob battery.
I. Open the door manually
You are still able to open the door manually even you have a dead key fob battery. Most smart entry keys fob has a built-in key which is designed to open the car door manually. To open the built-in key from the key fob cover, commonly, it has a slide button to unlock the key.
Just slide the button in the opposite direction, then pull out the built-in key. Look at the image below to remove the built-in key from the key fob body.
After the built-in key is removed from the key fob body, you can use it to open the door by inserting the key to the keyhole on the car door.
Note:
Several cars model, hiding the keyhole with the handle door cover. When you don't see the keyhole on your car, you need to remove the cover first then you may see the keyhole.
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II. Starting the engine
After getting in the car, you can use the dead key fob to start the engine. How to start car if key fob is dead? There are several ways to start the engine. It depends on the car models. And for these purposes, you may see your car owner manual for the right action. But, if you don't have the car owner manual, you can try these steps.
- Make sure your gearshift lever is at P (park) or N (neutral) position.
- Bring the dead key fob closer to the push start-stop button.
- Press the clutch pedal (for a car with manual transmission) or the brake pedal (for a car with automatic transmission).
- Wait until the push start-stop button led turning ON
- With the key fob closer to the button and pushed clutch or brake pedal, press the start-stop button to start the engine. Normally, the engine will run right after you push the start-stop button.
Some car models need to bring the key fob closer to the push start-stop button. The others used a hiding key slot around the driver's area, such as in the steering column (like Mazda vehicles) or near the center console box. You need to put the key fob into the key slot and do the steps above to start the engine.
Suppose the two steps on how to deal with car key battery dead aren't working. In that case, you may replace the dead key fob battery ( you can read on how to change the battery in the honda key fob as an example). Or you can call the certified technician because the key fob software may need to be reprogrammed.