If your key remote has stopped unlocking the doors or turning on your car alarm, chances are the battery has died. But what type of replacement battery does your key fob require? With most modern remotes containing small button cell batteries, you’ll first need to identify the model to ensure buying the proper battery. This guide will examine popular key fob battery types, including the battery for Nissan key fob, car key battery, and Honda key fob battery, how to replace them, what impacts runtime, and where to buy affordable replacements to restore functionality when those dreaded warning beeps start sounding.
Examining Common Key Fob Battery Types
The specific battery model powering your remote key depends on the vehicle make. Many fobs run for years on inexpensive CR2032 coin cell batteries available at any retailer. But some incorporate pricier specialty batteries or rechargeable cells.
CR2032 Batteries – Ubiquitous Button Cells
The CR2032 coin cell battery constitutes the most prevalent removable battery among modern key fobs. This compact lithium cell offers around 3 volts of output to power internal fob electronics over several years before depletion. Nearly every vehicle make including Honda, Toyota, Nissan models and domestic brands use basic CR2032 batteries except for some luxury marques or electric vehicles opting for proprietary rechargeable packs instead.
Helpful characteristics:
- Inexpensive from $3 to $7
- Widely available at retailers
- Last 2 to 4 years on average
Replacing these cells is quick with typically only one or two cases screws securing the plastic fob casing closed. Just match the “CR2032” labeling when buying fresh coin cells.
Other Common Circular Cell Options
Beyond the CR2032, a couple similar sized button cells sometimes substitute when extra capacity suits vehicle demands:
- CR2025 – Slightly smaller diameter lithium cells frequently employed by luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes as well as by Volkswagen. Still easy to source affordably.
- CR2450 – The less seen CR2450 inputs around twice the power as CR2032 cells. These lithium packs suit some Ford and Chrysler vehicle fobs drawing more current.
Both cells swap in identically to CR2032s when replacing dead batteries – just be sure to match the number printed on the expired battery.
Rechargeable Battery Packs
Some automakers like Nissan for certain keyless entry remotes have migrated to built-in rechargeable battery packs instead of replaceable cells. These sealed lithium-polymer blocks recharge wirelessly by placing the remote in a charging cradle supplied with the vehicle. Recharging typically takes under an hour for a month’s worth of capacity.
While the packs last for the usable fob lifespan, their fixed nature means the entire remote requires replacement when the battery eventually dies. Having no user serviceable cells inside also limits rebuilding options.
How Temperature Extremes Impact Battery Life
Environmental temperature plays a significant role in determining functional battery lifespan for remote key fobs. Keeping remotes away from cold winter temperatures when parked can dramatically extend the charge held in coin cell batteries.
Heat Also Reduces Life
At the other extreme, leaving key fobs inside hot vehicles bakes the batteries – shortening their ability to hold sufficient voltage. Parking remotes on sunny dashboards also risks reduced capacity over time. Keeping keys in pants pockets or buried in hot purses produces the same negative effects.
Try Storing Remotes Indoors
Maintaining moderate room temperature surroundings whenever possible gives key fob batteries the best longevity. Indoor storage avoids shortening cell life through winter or summer temperature extremes. Any steps limiting environmental stress keeps coins cells operating reliably longer before replacement becomes necessary.
Replacing Depleted Key Fob Batteries
Once those ominous warning chirps start emitting from your vehicle upon unlocking to signal the remote battery needs attention, taking action promptly restores convenience. Follow these key steps to get back on the road hassle-free:
- Start by examining the expired battery to identify the specific number printed on the face to guide purchasing the identical replacement cell. Common CR2032 and CR2450 cells cost under $10 even from automotive retailers.
- Next, carefully pry open the plastic key fob housing using a small flathead screwdriver. Usually only one or two precision Phillips or slotted case screws secure shells closed.
- If needed, use a thumbnail or tool to gently pry the depleted battery free from its securing clip or sleeve attachments taking care not to bend delicate interior component contacts.
- Press the new battery into place matching the +/- orientation etched onto the cell with circuit board guides. Insert the positive pole first in most designs.
- Finally, reseal the fob tightly and test operation before heading out. Discard the dead battery properly by recycling rather than trashing lithium cells.
Following those basic steps restores functionality to start enjoying reliable remote access again. But keeping backup cells handy allows immediately swapping out the next time chirps signal the need for fresh batteries.
Where to Buy Replacement Key Fob Batteries
Needing new batteries is no excuse enduring the inconvenience of manually unlocking your vehicle each trip thanks to the wide availability of popular replacement cells for purchase anywhere:
In-Store Retail Locations
Nearly all big box stores, supermarkets and pharmacy chains stock the common CR2032 coin batteries in multipacks. Those with auto sections also carry blister packs for slightly higher costs. Plus, home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot supply these standard cells near flashlight offerings.
Check Automotive Retailers
Specialized auto parts retailers ranging from national chains like AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Pep Boys to smaller independent shops stock the standard cells. Many also carry substitute higher-capacity options. Expect to pay marginally more than general big box listings.
Order Online
Buying bulk quantities online can secure the deepest discounts on popular cells like CR2032s and CR2450s. Online battery specialty shops offer 100+ multi-packs that maximize savings for buying enough spares to power remotes for years. Just ensure buying from reputable sellers like Duracell or Energizer for reliable performance batch to batch.
Buy an Extra Remote
Some vehicle owners opt to purchase an entirely new backup fob unit kept unused until needed. This guarantees fresh batteries ready to deploy. But buying duplicate remotes simply for their batteries proves an expensive route only practical for pricier luxury vehicles where individual keys run $300+ anyway. Standard fobs costing $100 or less make this unnecessary with affordable batteries more economical long-term.
Key Fob Battery Maximizing Tips
Taking a few basic precautions day to day helps avoid prematurely draining those tiny but critical power supplies:
- Avoid letting battery levels run down completely before swapping in replacements to sidestep function issues from critically low voltages.
- Check cells yearly or bi-yearly depending on use levels. Run tests unlocking doors at greater distances to help gauge if voltages are dropping before failure.
- Store key fobs indoors rather than keeping in vehicles to limit battery capacity shortening from temperature extremes.
- Reduce pressing unlock buttons excessively which risks functionality glitches or quicker battery rundown from overuse versus conservative operation.
Following those simple habits lets you reliably enjoy carefree keyless entry using your handy fob for years between battery changes.
Hopefully, you now better understand the most common coin cell battery options used across vehicle makes and models for powering keyless entry fobs and remote alarms. Typical lithium CR2032 cells provide the most universal and economical solution for restoration once depletion stops remotes functioning. Following the outlined guidance, drivers can conveniently handle replacing batteries themselves rather