Key Fob Batteries and Key Fob Replacements

Key fobs come in various types, and we can replace them all. Some types of key fobs are more sophisticated than your garage door openers, with special chips that have to be programmed to your specific vehicle. Select locations can replace keys for 95% of the vehicles on the road on the same day without appointment, including smart keys for domestic, Japanese and Korean imports. In fact, you don’t have to go to the dealership to replace the key fob for most vehicles.

Which key fob type do you have?

Remote Fobs with Key

The simplest fobs, these fobs hang separately from the key and let you remotely lock/unlock doors, activate the car's alarm or open the trunk.

Transponder Key Fobs

Also called proximity smart keys, these special fobs communicate with your car without you having to click buttons. They enable keyless entry as well as keyless ignition. Every time you push the ignition, the car pings your key fob to verify that it’s in range, and if the battery’s weak, your car may not start. Most transponder fobs have a separate metal key hidden inside.

Remote Head Key Fobs

Also called switchblade key fobs or flip-style keys because the key swivels out, these combine the fob and key into one unit. Some remote heads have transponder chips inside for extra security when you insert them in the ignition.

Most importantly, you need the type of key fob that fits your make and model. Participating stores stock car keys and key fobs for

D’autres clés de marque peuvent être commandées spécialement. However, our stores do not replace key fobs for German vehicles and some luxury car brands.

Identifying the Type of Battery Needed for Replacement

Most car key fobs use one or two button cell or coin cell batteries, same kind used as watch batteries or in hearing aids. They’re called button or coin cells because they’re roughly the size of small coins and buttons. That’s how they fit in electronic thermometers, calculators, laser pointers, small toys, etc. Some coin cell batteries are alkaline batteries, but key fob batteries tend to rely on 3V lithium coin cells for stable power output and long life.

Most key fobs need one of five different sizes of a lithium battery.

Which key fob battery do you need? The best way to see which battery you need is to open your key fob and see the original battery inside. You may also check the owner’s manual for your vehicle to find which keyless remote battery you need.

Every make and model may offer a slight variation. Most often, your key fob will need one of these five batteries:

CR1616

A 3V lithium battery often used for small consumer electronics such as key fobs, watches and calculators.

CR2032

One of the most common 3V lithium battery sizes widely used in key fobs, watches, computer motherboards and medical devices.

CR2025

One of the most common 3V lithium batteries used in electronic devices that occasionally need more power, such as transponder key fobs, toys, certain watches and remote controls.

CR2016

A 3V lithium battery often used in calculators, key fobs, digital thermometers and some watches.

CR2450

A 3V lithium battery that fits watches, key fobs and other small electronics.

Identifying the correct battery size is fundamental to completing a proper key fob battery replacement.

Original Batteries vs. Non-Original Batteries

Do you have to have the same original battery for your key fob to work? No. Compatibility is all about matching the voltage and milliamp-hour specs that your key fob needs.

It might not be enough to find a coin battery that fits. If you just replaced the key fob battery and it still isn’t working, look for the mAH or AH specs in your owner manual or on the fine print in the fob. For example, many but not all CR2032 batteries deliver about 220 milliamps.

If you install one that delivers fewer milliamps than usual, the key fob may not function well, if at all.

Visit your nearest Interstate All Battery Center store for high-quality batteries with enough power to match your devices. Your experts can identify which battery you need to keep your fob running efficiently and prevent a dead battery from leaving you stranded.

The Key to Increasing Key Fob Battery Life

This key fob battery trick can also help protect your car battery: Keep your car key fob more than 10 yards away from your parked car when they’re not in use. It prevents unnecessary signaling that could drain your key fob and your car battery.

Some vehicles may call out to the key fob to see if it’s in range, anticipating you may want to open the door or start the engine. If your key fob is just beside the door to your garage, it may be quietly signaling back and forth with your vehicle. Instead, keep your key fob out of range of your vehicle, about 30 yards, to avoid draining both batteries.

The other keys to key fob battery life aren’t too different from the key to protecting your car battery:

• Keep it clean and dry.
• Avoid unnecessary usage.
• Keep it out of extreme temperatures.

Signs That Your Keyless Remote Battery Needs to a Replacement

• The fob’s signal light fades when you push and hold a button.

• The fob’s signal light doesn’t turn on when you push a button.

• The fob only works after pushing the button multiple times.

• The fob only works when you get close to the car.

• The fob’s battery is three years old or older.

A transponder fob for keyless ignition will also show another sign: The engine won’t start. You can hold your transponder key fob to the ignition button to get your car to start if the fob’s battery is too low.

Then drive to your nearest Interstate All Battery Center for an affordable key fob battery replacement.