It’s a familiar scenario for many car owners: you’re standing by your vehicle, key fob in hand, and nothing happens when you press the unlock button. Or perhaps you notice the remote range diminishing, requiring you to get closer and closer to your car for it to respond. These are common signs that your car key fob battery is nearing the end of its life and needs replacing. But when it comes to replacement, one crucial question arises: What Size Battery For Car Key Fob do you actually need?
Choosing the correct battery size is essential for ensuring your car key fob functions reliably. Using the wrong size can lead to poor performance, damage to your fob, or simply not working at all. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about car key fob batteries and how to find the perfect fit for your vehicle, ensuring you’re never left stranded due to a dead remote.
Recognizing the Signs of a Dying Car Key Fob Battery
Before we delve into battery sizes, it’s important to recognize the telltale signs that your car key fob battery is losing power. Being proactive can prevent the inconvenience of a completely unresponsive key fob. Here are some common indicators:
- Decreased Range: You need to be significantly closer to your car than usual for the key fob to lock or unlock the doors.
- Intermittent Responsiveness: Sometimes the buttons work, and sometimes they don’t, requiring multiple presses.
- Weak Signal: The car’s hazard lights may not flash, or the door locks may sound weak when activated remotely.
- Dashboard Warning Light: Some modern vehicles will display a warning message on the dashboard indicating a low key fob battery.
- Keyless Entry Issues: Features like push-button start or keyless entry may become unreliable or require you to insert the fob into the dashboard.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s highly likely that a battery replacement is in order.
Understanding Common Car Key Fob Battery Sizes
Car key fobs primarily use small, coin-shaped lithium batteries, often referred to as coin cell batteries. While there are various types, some sizes are far more prevalent than others in automotive applications. Knowing the common sizes is a great starting point in your search for the right battery.
The CR2032 battery is by far the most frequently used battery in car key fobs across a wide range of manufacturers and models. Its popularity stems from its balance of compact size and ample power capacity.
Other common sizes you might encounter include:
- CR2025: Slightly thinner than the CR2032, but with a similar diameter, the CR2025 is another common choice.
- CR2016: Thinner still, the CR2016 is used in slimmer key fobs or when less power capacity is required.
- CR1632: Smaller in diameter and thickness compared to CR2032, this size is often found in Honda and Lexus fobs, among others.
- CR1620: Similar diameter to CR1632 but thinner.
- CR1616: The thinnest of the 16mm diameter batteries.
- CR2450: Larger in diameter and thickness, offering higher capacity, sometimes used in fobs with more features or for extended life.
- CR2412: Similar diameter to CR2450 but thinner.
An Energizer CR2032 lithium coin cell battery, a common size for car key fobs.
The “CR” designation indicates a lithium battery with a round shape. The numbers that follow provide dimensional information: for example, in “CR2032”, “20” signifies a diameter of 20mm, and “32” indicates a thickness of 3.2mm (thickness is often represented by the last two digits multiplied by 0.1mm).
Finding the Right Battery Size for Your Specific Car Key Fob
While knowing common sizes is helpful, the definitive way to determine what size battery for car key fob you need is to consult specific resources related to your car. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
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Check Your Car Owner’s Manual: This is your first and most reliable resource. The owner’s manual often contains a section on key fob maintenance, including battery replacement and the correct battery type for your specific model and year. Look for the index or search for “key fob battery” or “remote battery”.
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Examine Your Key Fob: Carefully inspect your key fob itself. In many cases, after opening the fob (usually by sliding a release latch or using a small screwdriver in a designated slot), you will find the battery compartment. Often, the battery size is printed directly on the battery itself or inside the battery compartment.
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Use Online Car Battery Finders: Many websites and online retailers specializing in batteries offer car battery finder tools. You can typically input your car’s make, model, and year, and the tool will suggest the correct key fob battery size. Websites like keyfobprog.com or battery retailer sites are valuable resources.
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Consult the Battery Cross-Reference Chart: The table below provides a comprehensive list of car makes and models with their corresponding key fob battery types for various model years. Find your car’s make and model in this chart to identify the recommended battery.
(Insert Table from original article here)
- When in Doubt, Match the Old Battery: If you’ve already opened your key fob and removed the old battery, simply note the size printed on it and purchase the same type. This is the most foolproof method if the original battery is still legible.
Note: Some car models, especially within the same make and year, might use different key fobs depending on trim level or features (e.g., “Smart Key” vs. standard remote). Always double-check the specific type if your car has variations.
Quick Guide to Car Key Fob Battery Replacement
Once you’ve identified the correct battery size, replacing it is usually a straightforward process. While specific steps may vary slightly depending on your key fob design, here are general guidelines:
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Gather Your Tools and Battery: You’ll typically need a small flathead screwdriver (often a jeweler’s screwdriver) and your new car key fob battery of the correct size.
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Open the Key Fob: Locate the release mechanism on your key fob. This might be a small latch, a button, or a slot where you can insert a screwdriver to gently pry it open. Refer to your owner’s manual or online videos specific to your key fob model if needed.
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Remove the Old Battery: Once open, you’ll see the old battery. Note the orientation (positive (+) and negative (-) sides). Gently pry out the old battery, taking care not to damage the contacts.
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Insert the New Battery: Place the new battery into the compartment, ensuring the positive and negative sides are oriented correctly, matching the markings in the compartment or the orientation of the old battery.
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Close the Key Fob: Carefully snap the key fob casing back together until it’s securely closed.
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Test the Key Fob: Test the key fob’s functions (locking, unlocking, remote start, panic button) to ensure the new battery is working correctly.
Replacing a car key fob battery is often a simple DIY task.
Do’s and Don’ts of Car Key Battery Replacement
To ensure a safe and successful battery replacement, keep these do’s and don’ts in mind:
Do’s:
- Read Instructions: Check your key fob or owner’s manual for specific instructions before starting.
- Proper Insertion: Ensure the battery is inserted correctly, paying attention to positive (+) and negative (-) terminals.
- Cleanliness: Keep the battery and contacts clean and free from dirt or moisture.
- Correct Size and Type: Always use the battery size and type specified for your key fob.
- Proper Disposal: Dispose of the old battery responsibly according to local regulations for lithium battery disposal.
- Store Batteries Safely: Store spare batteries in a cool, dry place, away from children.
Don’ts:
- Leave Batteries Accessible to Children: Coin cell batteries are small and can be a serious choking hazard if swallowed.
- Dispose of Batteries in Fire: Batteries can rupture or leak harmful chemicals if incinerated.
- Recharge Non-Rechargeable Batteries: Attempting to recharge standard coin cell batteries can be dangerous and cause leaks or explosions.
- Expose Batteries to High Temperatures: High temperatures can cause battery leakage and damage your key fob.
Conclusion
Knowing what size battery for car key fob your car requires is the first step in ensuring your remote functions reliably. By understanding the common battery sizes, consulting your car’s manual or online resources, and following the replacement steps outlined, you can easily handle this maintenance task yourself. Regular battery replacement, typically every few years depending on usage, will keep your key fob working optimally and prevent unexpected lockouts. For a wide selection of car key fob batteries and further assistance, visit keyfobprog.com – your expert resource for automotive key solutions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional automotive repair advice. Always consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual and follow safety precautions when performing any maintenance or repairs.
