It’s a common frustration for 2019 Subaru owners: dealing with a dead or dying key fob battery. While it might seem sudden, several factors can contribute to how long your key fob battery lasts. Understanding these factors can not only extend your battery life but also help you anticipate when a replacement might be needed. Let’s dive into the common reasons behind key fob battery drain and what you should consider when you need to replace your 2019 Subaru key fob battery.
One key factor influencing your key fob battery life is the quality of the CR2032 coin battery itself. Not all CR2032 batteries are manufactured to the same standards. Even within reputable brands, occasional faulty batteries can slip through quality control. If you happen to have a battery tester at home, it’s a worthwhile step to quickly check a new battery before installing it in your fob. This simple check can save you potential headaches down the road, even though you can still manually unlock your Subaru with the emergency key and start the vehicle with a depleted fob in most cases. Speaking of emergency keys, it’s always a good idea to verify that your manual emergency key works correctly in your door lock right now. This ensures you’re not caught off guard should your fob battery fail unexpectedly. For reliable replacements, established brands like Energizer or Duracell are generally good choices, offering consistent quality. While Panasonic batteries are also excellent, sourcing genuine ones often requires careful online ordering.
Another, often overlooked, aspect that significantly impacts battery drain is user behavior. Are you someone who habitually presses the lock and unlock buttons multiple times as you approach or leave your Subaru? This repeated button pressing, even subconsciously, accelerates battery consumption. A smart way to mitigate this is to utilize your Subaru’s touch-enabled locking and proximity unlocking features, if your model is equipped with them. These features reduce the need for excessive button presses. And for those moments of double-checking after walking away from your car? Consider using the MySubaru/Starlink app to confirm your vehicle is locked, rather than repeatedly pressing the fob buttons.
Furthermore, there’s growing evidence across various car brands suggesting that keeping your key fob too close to your vehicle when at home can also lead to faster battery depletion in both the fob and the car itself. To prevent this, it’s recommended to store your key fob further away from your Subaru when you’re at home, allowing the vehicle’s systems to fully power down and “sleep.” Alternatively, investing in a Faraday cage or a “valet” box to store your fob at home can effectively block signals and prevent unnecessary battery drain caused by constant communication between the fob and the vehicle.
In conclusion, by understanding these factors – battery quality, usage habits, and fob proximity to the vehicle – you can better manage your 2019 Subaru key fob battery life. When replacement becomes necessary, remember to choose a quality CR2032 battery and consider adjusting your usage habits and storage practices to prolong the battery life of your new key fob battery.
