Key fobs are incredibly convenient until they stop working. For owners of a 2015 Toyota Corolla, a common culprit for a malfunctioning key fob is often the battery. Knowing the correct battery type and how to troubleshoot issues can save you time and frustration. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the battery for your 2015 Toyota Corolla key fob.
Understanding the Correct Battery: CR2016 for Your 2015 Toyota Corolla Key Fob
The 2015 Toyota Corolla key fob uses a CR2016 type battery. This is a small, 3-volt lithium coin cell battery. It’s important to use the correct type to ensure proper functionality and longevity of your key fob. While other coin cell batteries might seem similar, the CR2016 has specific dimensions and voltage output that are crucial for powering your Toyota key fob effectively. You can typically find CR2016 batteries at most drugstores, supermarkets, and electronics stores, as well as online retailers.
Troubleshooting Key Fob Battery Issues: It’s Not Always Voltage
Sometimes, even with a seemingly new battery, your 2015 Toyota Corolla key fob might still not work. A common misconception is that if a battery reads 3V on a voltmeter, it’s good. However, like car batteries, coin cell batteries can degrade over time, even if they haven’t reached their expiration date. They might show a good voltage reading when tested without a load, but fail to provide enough power when actually placed under the demand of operating the key fob.
Imagine replacing your Toyota Corolla key fob battery with a “fresh” battery that has been sitting in a drawer for years. It might test at 3.3V, appearing perfectly fine. But, when you install it, the key fob remains unresponsive. This is because the battery, despite its voltage, might not have the necessary current to power the key fob reliably. This was exactly the experience of one key fob user who learned this lesson firsthand. After trying several older Panasonic batteries that tested good, a brand-new Energizer CR2016 battery finally solved the problem, bringing all key fobs back to life.
The key takeaway is: don’t solely rely on voltage readings or expiration dates for coin cell batteries. For reliable performance of your 2015 Toyota Corolla key fob, especially when troubleshooting, using a truly new and reputable brand of CR2016 battery is crucial.
Tips for Key Fob Battery Maintenance
To avoid unexpected key fob battery failures and ensure your 2015 Toyota Corolla key fob works reliably, consider these tips:
- Purchase Fresh Batteries: Buy CR2016 batteries only when you need them, instead of buying in bulk and storing them for long periods.
- Check Expiration Dates: Even when buying new, check the expiration date on the battery packaging to ensure you are getting the freshest stock.
- Consider a Battery Tester (Optional): If you frequently use coin cell batteries, a simple coin cell battery tester can help you assess a battery’s load capacity, not just its voltage. You can even create a DIY tester as shown in the example Simple Battery Tester for Coin Cells.
- Keep Spares, But Use Them Wisely: It’s good to have a spare CR2016 battery on hand, but rotate your stock and avoid using batteries that have been stored for an extended period, even if unused.
Conclusion
Maintaining your 2015 Toyota Corolla key fob battery is straightforward. By using the correct CR2016 battery and understanding that freshness is key, you can prevent common issues and ensure your key fob operates reliably when you need it most. When in doubt, especially when troubleshooting, replacing the battery with a brand new CR2016 is always the best first step.
