Automotive starting with Keyfob

[mtdjed]

Are you familiar with your cars remote Key fob and getting into car and starting it if the Key fob is dead? Each car is likely different, and the technology has changed over time.

Are you familiar with how to get into the car with a dead Key fob? Does the Key fob contain a mechanical key? Do you have a spare battery to power your Key fob? Do you know how to replace the Key fob battery? Do you know where the mechanical key slot to open the car resides?

Are you familiar with how to start a push button car when the Key fob is dead? Does your car have a hidden key slot for the mechanical key to start the car? How do you access slot? Does the car technology allow for the car to start by touching the dead Key fob to the start button.

It sounds like a lot of questions and the answers are different for each car type. Best to know before you have Key fob issues.

Note, I learned today after incurring a dead Key fob.

[retiredguy123]

I have a 2017 Ford Escape. The key fob has a small slider tab on the back that opens the top part of the key fob and there is a mechanical key inside. I also have an app that allows me to open the door or start the vehicle with my smart phone. No key fob needed.

I think there is also a small indentation on the side of the steering column that allows a dead key fob to start the vehicle.

[Stu from NYC]

Hmm thanks gave me something to think about

[manaboutown]

Good points. Thank you!

In 2021 I had a battery go on a 2017 BMW X5 key fob and figured out what to do using the internet. The dealer replaced the batteries in both key fobs at no charge. The parts guy told me he could not predict battery life as it depends on how long they had been sitting on his shelf.

My suggestion is get new batteries in both fobs.

[retiredguy123]

I looked at my car again. Apparently, I can unlock the door with the mechanical key inside the key fob, but it will not start the car. But, I can insert the dead key fob into the indentation in the steering column to start the car. I can also unlock and start the car with my smart phone. I would recommend checking to see if there is an app for your car. That way, even if you lose the key fob, you can still operate the vehicle.

[mtdjed]

My 2018 Hyundai Kona has a Key fob with a removable mechanical key. Door has a visible key slot that opens with the mechanical key from the Fob. The Fob is powered by a CR2032 battery. On this car, you are instructed to touch the dead Key fob to the start button and it will read the code even though battery is weak or dead. I called Jenkins Hyundai and they have batteries for sale for $7.00. I bought 10 of these batteries several months ago from Amazon with free delivery for $5 or $.50 (Fifty cents each). In my case the CR2032 coin disc batteries are the same as the ones I use in my remote garage door openers. Replacement of the dead battery took about 1 minute.

Keeping a spare battery or two in the car seems like a simple chore. That is if I remember I did that and where I put them.

Our 2010 VW Golf uses the fob only for opening the door and has a mechanical key in the Fob to start the car. However, there is no visible key slot on the door handle. But the key slot is on the drivers side door handle hidden by a cover which can be removed (Hidden pry slot on bottom of the cover). Starting the car once inside is not an issue since it is by key in the fob.

Some have a hidden start Mechanical key slot inside the car. Perhaps on arm rest or glove box or other.

You should check your manual while you have no problem. Won't help if the instructions are locked inside the car when you need them.

Important that all users of the car know these things. Don't want to discover problem at some inopportune time when instruction manual is locked in car with your cell phone. Think of the issue occurring when you are on a trip, at night, alone etc.

Take an easy learning step now.

[thevillages2013]

I had to change the fob battery for our Honda Ridgeline and got a little too aggressive with the little coin battery and the whole thing fell apart keys and all. I thought I would just slap it back together but ended up doing a YouTube video to get all the pieces back in place even though I had another fob to copy. No I wasn’t drinking yet( I don’t think) (well maybe I was) . I didn’t fix it until the next day. Oh well

[thevillages2013]

(Sort of on topic here ) I haven’t tried this to fact check it but reportedly if you get locked out of your car( and there is a spare remote key fob at home ) with two cell phones and the spare key the car can be unlocked.

[mkjelenbaas]

Are you familiar with your cars remote Key fob and getting into car and starting it if the Key fob is dead? Each car is likely different, and the technology has changed over time.

Are you familiar with how to get into the car with a dead Key fob? Does the Key fob contain a mechanical key? Do you have a spare battery to power your Key fob? Do you know how to replace the Key fob battery? Do you know where the mechanical key slot to open the car resides?

Are you familiar with how to start a push button car when the Key fob is dead? Does your car have a hidden key slot for the mechanical key to start the car? How do you access slot? Does the car technology allow for the car to start by touching the dead Key fob to the start button.

It sounds like a lot of questions and the answers are different for each car type. Best to know before you have Key fob issues.

Note, I learned today after incurring a dead Key fob.
That’s a lot of question and I don’t have the time to answer so many - but thanks for asking - btw - what are you going to do with tha answers you get? Just wondering.

[HogPilot]

Are you familiar with your cars remote Key fob and getting into car and starting it if the Key fob is dead? Each car is likely different, and the technology has changed over time.

Are you familiar with how to get into the car with a dead Key fob? Does the Key fob contain a mechanical key? Do you have a spare battery to power your Key fob? Do you know how to replace the Key fob battery? Do you know where the mechanical key slot to open the car resides?

Are you familiar with how to start a push button car when the Key fob is dead? Does your car have a hidden key slot for the mechanical key to start the car? How do you access slot? Does the car technology allow for the car to start by touching the dead Key fob to the start button.

It sounds like a lot of questions and the answers are different for each car type. Best to know before you have Key fob issues.

Note, I learned today after incurring a dead Key fob.

My 2017 Mercedes GLC gives me dash notice when my FOB battery is low and needs changing. It seems to coincide with my annual service. Mechanical key also inside FOB.

[GpaVader]

Consult your owners manual or the dealer. I always go through this with my wife when we take delivery. Then I check the owners manual to see what kind of batteries the fobs take and I place them in the glove box with the manual usually in the page showing how to replace them....

[mtdjed]

That’s a lot of question and I don’t have the time to answer so many - but thanks for asking - btw - what are you going to do with tha answers you get? Just wondering.

Not really trying to get the answers, but rather bring up a topic that may sound trivial until you need the answer (i.e. You are locked out of your car). You likely can get the answer by simply checking your owners manual or google how to start a (Year, Make, Model) with a dead key fob.

It is not complex and may be intuitive to some but not to all. You don't need to answer the many questions. If the answer provokes any uncertainty, spend 5 minutes to find out, the simple work arounds available to you. And maybe a spare 50 Cent battery in the car may be beneficial.

[Topspinmo]

Are you familiar with your cars remote Key fob and getting into car and starting it if the Key fob is dead? Each car is likely different, and the technology has changed over time.

Are you familiar with how to get into the car with a dead Key fob? Does the Key fob contain a mechanical key? Do you have a spare battery to power your Key fob? Do you know how to replace the Key fob battery? Do you know where the mechanical key slot to open the car resides?

Are you familiar with how to start a push button car when the Key fob is dead? Does your car have a hidden key slot for the mechanical key to start the car? How do you access slot? Does the car technology allow for the car to start by touching the dead Key fob to the start button.

It sounds like a lot of questions and the answers are different for each car type. Best to know before you have Key fob issues.

Note, I learned today after incurring a dead Key fob.


Just another system to break.

[Topspinmo]

Not really trying to get the answers, but rather bring up a topic that may sound trivial until you need the answer (i.e. You are locked out of your car). You likely can get the answer by simply checking your owners manual or google how to start a (Year, Make, Model) with a dead key fob.

It is not complex and may be intuitive to some but not to all. You don't need to answer the many questions. If the answer provokes any uncertainty, spend 5 minutes to find out, the simple work arounds available to you. And maybe a spare 50 Cent battery in the car may be beneficial.

O please, if every poster did that there would be no need for forum.

[SIRE1]

This post was very timely for me. On Sunday, by instrument panel display indicated the key fob battery was low. I dismissed it because the car started OK, but when I read this post, I decided I probably needed to replace the battery before it went completely dead.

I then looked at YouTube and saw how to replace a "dead battery in a GM key fob". That was very helpful. Then, out of curiosity, I looked at YouTube and saw "how to get into a locked car and start it with a dead key fob". Wow, that was really interesting and I sure am glad I replaced the battery now because the process is very involved.

So again, thanks for this post. It got me to do something I needed to do.

[DAVES]

Just another system to break.

The brave new world. Owners manual. I know where it is. In the glove compartment.
If, locked out of the car, I will know where it is OOPS but I will be locked out.

The key farb. They do not work after salt water. One trip to the beach and done.

[Boston1945]

With my Dodge Ram it does have the key inside the fob. BUT what if you lock the keys inside??
Save a lot of $$$ by making a copy of that key and taping it behind your license plate on your vehicle.

[Pachine58]

I have to place my fob right on top of starter button when dead. Starts up right away. It’s a Toyota

[DonnaNi4os]

My 2018 Hyundai Kona has a Key fob with a removable mechanical key. Door has a visible key slot that opens with the mechanical key from the Fob. The Fob is powered by a CR2032 battery. On this car, you are instructed to touch the dead Key fob to the start button and it will read the code even though battery is weak or dead. I called Jenkins Hyundai and they have batteries for sale for $7.00. I bought 10 of these batteries several months ago from Amazon with free delivery for $5 or $.50 (Fifty cents each). In my case the CR2032 coin disc batteries are the same as the ones I use in my remote garage door openers. Replacement of the dead battery took about 1 minute.

Keeping a spare battery or two in the car seems like a simple chore. That is if I remember I did that and where I put them.

Our 2010 VW Golf uses the fob only for opening the door and has a mechanical key in the Fob to start the car. However, there is no visible key slot on the door handle. But the key slot is on the drivers side door handle hidden by a cover which can be removed (Hidden pry slot on bottom of the cover). Starting the car once inside is not an issue since it is by key in the fob.

Some have a hidden start Mechanical key slot inside the car. Perhaps on arm rest or glove box or other.

You should check your manual while you have no problem. Won't help if the instructions are locked inside the car when you need them.

Important that all users of the car know these things. Don't want to discover problem at some inopportune time when instruction manual is locked in car with your cell phone. Think of the issue occurring when you are on a trip, at night, alone etc.

Take an easy learning step now.

While it sounds like a good idea to keep a spare battery in your car the extreme heat in the summer will likely kill the battery. Please remember, anyone with an animal or small child, those batteries are small enough to be swallowed and can cause real harm.

[p089813]

I found this very informative as I was never told/shown this feature/instructions. The article made me look up the info on my vehicle. Had changed the battery but had no idea about the key or starting of the car when the KF battery was dead. Luckily my vehicle shows a msg when the battery is low so it can be changed. Thanks again for the post!

[Petersweeney]

I just call James the driver, problem solved….home James…..