A forum discussion thread on nicoclub.com brought up an interesting, albeit unconventional, method for dealing with a low battery warning on a 2010 Altima Key Fob. User “weix9860” shared an experience of repeatedly receiving “low battery” warnings despite using the designated key holder slot in their Nissan Altima, which they perceived as a charger. Frustrated, they turned to an unusual solution after accidentally washing and drying their key fob. Surprisingly, post-laundry, the key fob seemed to function without the low battery warning. The user then intentionally replicated this by drying the key fob in a sock with other clothes, attributing the apparent recharge to static electricity from the dryer.
Another forum member, “QR25DE,” responded, correcting a few misconceptions. Firstly, they clarified that the key holder in the Altima is not actually a charger for the key fob battery. Secondly, they debunked the idea that static electricity from a dryer could recharge the battery. Instead, QR25DE proposed a more plausible explanation rooted in basic battery chemistry: heat. Heat can temporarily accelerate the chemical reactions within a battery, potentially leading to a temporary increase in available energy. This effect is the opposite of what happens when a battery is cold, which slows down reactions and reduces power, a common issue in cold weather car starts.
While the dryer method might seem like a quirky fix, it’s essential to understand the underlying science. The 2010 Altima key fob, like most modern car remotes, is powered by a small, replaceable battery, not a rechargeable one in the traditional sense. The heat from the dryer could have provided a temporary boost to the battery’s performance, masking the low battery issue for a short period. However, this is not a sustainable or recommended way to “charge” your 2010 Altima key fob. If you consistently receive low battery warnings, the most reliable solution is to replace the key fob battery with a new one. This ensures consistent and dependable performance from your keyless entry system.
