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Dead Key Fob Batteries
Overview Videos
Get In, Get Started! We have an extensive and growing video library, including by manufacturer, below! Most videos are dedicated to helping you get in and get going if the battery in your key fob, smart key or remote control dies. Up first are our first three videos, done in 2015 and updated in 2019, offering general help overviews.
Since then we’ve followed up with videos “keyed” to specific manufacturers and models, where applicable. There are now 259 total videos available and nearly 18.4 million views to date.
- Click here to get to Text Instructions, with images, also by Manufacturer.
- Click here for Videos replacing Batteries in key fobs from various Manufacturers.**
- Continue below for our General Help videos followed by videos by Manufacturer.
General Help
These first videos show us getting into and starting a push button start car with a key fob that has gone dead. The car we used happens to have a hidden key hole.
We used a friend’s Lexus to create the first few videos, long since updated.
Getting In
Ah, nothing like a hidden key hole to mess with a motorist’s head! And, yes, you likely will have to pry off a piece of your priceless automobile, but it is necessary and you won’t hurt it! Don’t lose the cap that covers the keyhole after you remove it.
The video below updates a 4 year old overview we did on the subject. We had a lot more cars to use as examples. Note that we still have lots of videos specific to most makes and models.
Starting the Car
The next video, is an overview covering many vehicles from nearly all manufacturers. Please note that we have likely covered your specific make and model, so it would be best to scroll down to the list of manufacturers.
Getting Out!
Yes, getting out. The migration to electronic latches means its time for a 2022 update of our get out video. So, for the third time, we will spend some time making sure you can get OUT of your car in the event of a power failure of the main battery. The interior electronic door latches will not work in this case, and it can get damned hot inside your car in a hurry — something that cost the life of a Texas man in 2015. But remember, there is always a back up plan.
Why Does the Alarm Go Off??
The Brake Pedal Conundrum
If your push button start car doesn’t start the first time, you might see a warning to step on the brake, even if you are stepping on the brake! Here we discuss what has happened and how to get past it.
* Note: We have seen this in vehicles from Acura, Land Rover, Lexus, Mini and Toyota. We ‘confused’ a Nissan into the problem, but not an Infiniti. We have not been able to replicate this in Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Land Rover, Maserati, Mercedes or VW models. We will continue to test additional vehicles as they come available.
** We have battery replacement videos from: Acura (3), Audi (3), BMW (3), Fiat Chrysler (4), Ford (3), GM (6), Holden, Honda, Hyundai/Kia (2), Jaguar/Land Rover (2), Lexus (3), Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz (2), Mitsubishi, Nissan/Infiniti (3), Polestar, Porsche, Subaru, Tesla (2), Toyota (2), Volkswagen (2), Volvo (2) and Wagoneer fobs, to date.
Videos by Manufacturer
We have assembled a library of over 250 videos by manufacturer with examples of back-up procedures from those individual manufacturers and, where needed, specific models. We are particularly focused on models with hidden key holes. Never a charge to use this site.
- If you don’t find a video covering your make or model, click here to get to text instructions, with images.
Alfa Romeo
We now have two videos for the new Giulia and Stelvio models with keyless start, including replacing the battery in the tricky key fob.
Audi
We now have 21 videos demonstrating the many Audi and Volkswagen back-up entry and start options. We have Audi hidden key holes on a Q7 and Q8. We’ve replaced the battery in the key fob in several different fob styles.
BMW / Mini
We have a eleven videos available, demonstrating the manufacturer’s two back-up options, plus hidden key holes in BMWs, another in a Mini and fob battery replacements. Our most recent addition is is the company’s all electric vehicles including the i4 and iX.
Buick
We have nine videos for Buick owners, including being able to get past hidden key holes and replacing batteries in key fobs.
Cadillac
There are 14 videos for Cadillac owners to help you get in and get started. We get you past hidden key holes, including instances where the owner’s manual is wrong! And we show how to replace the dead battery in key fobs.
Chevrolet
We have 19 videos for Chevrolet owners, with help to get in and get started. There are too many variations for getting started, and even getting inside, depending on model. And we can help replace the battery in a number of key fobs.
Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep / Fiat
We have eleven videos demonstrating the manufacturer’s two basic back-up entry and start options in various models and fob battery replacements in four fob styles.
Ford
Ford has a number of differing methods for getting in and starting their cars, 12 actually (at least). So far, we have 19 videos available, covering back up entry and start procedures in the most common Ford models and key fob battery replacement. We can get you past any hidden keyhole. There is some crossover with Lincoln, but they are handled separately below.
GMC
We have seven videos for GMC owners to help you get in and get started. We also show how to replace the battery in the key fob.
Holden
We’ve never had our hands on a Holden, but we’ve handled dozens of GM models here in North America. So we put together three videos to help owners of Holden models using other GM products as stand-ins.
Honda / Acura
Now eight videos covering the newest and simplest back up entry and start procedure and the replacement of the battery in older- and newer-style key fobs.
Hyundai / Kia / Genesis
There are several back up entry and start methods and we have eighteen videos covering back up entry and start procedures in the most Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models and key fob battery replacements. We can get you past the hidden keyholes.
Jaguar / Land Rover
Thus far we have a six videos with help for 2015 and later Jaguar and Land Rover models. We’ve worked with the newest key fobs and flush door handles.
Lincoln
While there is a good deal of crossover with Ford vehicles (above), we have eleven videos for Lincoln owners with help getting past hidden key holes, getting the vehicles started and replacing key fob batteries.
Maserati
Three videos total. We’ve had access to a pair of Maserati models, a Ghibli and a Levante, and we now believe that the method shown in both videos should work for any push button or keyless start Maserati! And we’ve replaced the battery in a fob as well.
Mazda
We have seven videos available to help with Mazda entry and start procedures, including one featuring the standardized starting method begun with 2014 models. Plus a fob battery replacement video.
Mercedes-Benz
We now have 10 videos for Mercedes-Benz owners. They introduced a new key fob style in 2017 and new back up start processes. We’ve covered the entry and start procedures and fob battery replacements.
Mitsubishi
We have two videos for Mitsubishi owners thus far, including help replacing the battery in the key fob..
Nissan / Infiniti
Nissan kept it simple for years with two back up start processes, covered in two videos and updated in two more. Then the Infiniti QX30 with a key fob mimicking the fob used by Mercedes-Benz, which we covered. Other videos (3) will help you replace the battery in the key fob.
Porsche
We have three videos, one getting into and starting Entry & Drive models with visible key holes or key holes hiding behind split door handles (the Cayenne), another for models that reveal the key hole when the door handle is lifted, and another replacing the battery in a key fob.
Subaru
Thus far we have two videos for Subaru owners. We replace the battery in the newest style in video two.
Suzuki
We have a single video to help owners of newer keyless start Suzuki models with dead key fob batteries.
Tesla
Thus far, we have six videos opening and starting the Model S, Model X and Model 3 – the opening processes are different – and replacing the battery in their key fobs, although the Model 3 and Model Y don’t actually use a fob. We also have one to help you get inside if the 12-volt start battery dies!
Toyota / Lexus / Scion
Toyota Motors uses the same method across the board — unless you have a very early Prius, which we explain as well. Nine total videos, including a newer Prius, the Lexus hidden key hole and key fob battery replacements.
Vauxhall / Opel
We have a single video for Vauxhall and Opel drivers. We’ve never had our hands on any of the models, but we have handled dozens of GM and VW models here in North America. We used them as stand-ins and are more than confident that the processes shown will work.
Volvo / Polestar
We have five videos covering both the older and newer generation Volvos and the new Polestar models. Two for starting and two for preplacing the batteries in the key fobs.
Volkswagen
We now have 20 videos demonstrating the many Volkswagen and Audi back-up entry and start options, including hidden key holes. We’ve replaced the battery in the key fob in several different fob styles.
Wagoneer
Thus far, two videos for the latest (2022 and newer) Wagoneer models, including replacing the key fob battery.
Replacing the Remote or Fob or Smart Key Battery
This page holds videos of us replacing batteries in key fobs from various manufacturers. So far we have videos for Acura (3), Audi (4), BMW (2), Fiat/Chrysler/Jeep (4), Ford (3), GM (6), Holden, Honda, Hyundai/Kia (2), Land Rover/Jaguar (2), Lexus (3), Mercedes Benz (2), Mitsubishi, Nissan/Infiniti (3), Polestar, Porsche, Subaru, Tesla (2, Model S, X), Toyota, Volkswagen (2), Volvo (2) and Wagoneer fobs.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.