It’s a common frustration for Subaru owners: the nagging feeling that your key fob battery always seems to be dying sooner than it should. You might have heard whispers about air exposure being the culprit, but is that really the case? Let’s delve into the real factors affecting your Battery For A Subaru Key Fob and how to maximize its lifespan.
Many believe that simply exposing a battery to air is its downfall, drawing parallels to air-activated batteries used in specialized devices. However, this isn’t directly applicable to the lithium coin cell batteries powering your Subaru key fob. If air alone were the enemy of lithium cells, why wouldn’t manufacturers hermetically seal every lithium battery, including common AA and AAA sizes? These are often packaged openly, and they certainly aren’t known for immediate failure upon air exposure.
The key to understanding key fob battery drain lies less in air itself and more in humidity and temperature fluctuations. Think about it: your key fob endures significant environmental changes. From the frigid cold of winter mornings to the sweltering heat of a summer car interior, and the varying humidity levels throughout the year, these conditions take a toll.
CR2032 batteries, the typical power source for Subaru key fobs, do self-discharge over time. This process accelerates significantly in environments with high humidity – especially above 75%, a common level in many regions, particularly during humid summers without air conditioning. Research on CR2032 batteries indicates that discharge, transient shorts, and corrosion, all contributing to battery drain, are more likely to occur at these elevated humidity levels.
Therefore, while “air exposure” might be loosely blamed, it’s the humidity within the air that’s the real issue. Temperature swings exacerbate this problem, as they can lead to condensation and further contribute to internal battery degradation. This is likely a major factor in the premature battery drain experienced in vehicle key fobs, given the harsh temperature and humidity variations they are subjected to throughout their use.
Packaging for these batteries, especially button cells, is more about child safety regulations than creating an airtight seal for longevity. While some batteries marketed for extended shelf life might come in double-sealed packaging, the standard blister packs are primarily designed to deter children from accessing and swallowing the small batteries. The push towards child-resistant packaging was largely driven by safety concerns, with manufacturers adapting to meet evolving standards.
In conclusion, when it comes to the battery for your subaru key fob, don’t solely blame air exposure. Focus on mitigating the effects of humidity and temperature extremes. While you can’t control the external environment completely, understanding these factors can help you anticipate battery replacements and potentially take steps to protect your key fob from excessive humidity and temperature changes, thus prolonging your battery life.
