We have a new Kia back up entry update and, very much like we stated for Hyundai, the new processes make us wish they’d make up their minds. Back up entry processes are necessary for those moments when the key fob’s battery dies, which happens all too often. There is a brand new way to expose the key hole on the new EV9 and, again like parent Hyundai, the company has a new mechanical key that is separate from the key fob. Kia also has new digital — smart phone — access options.
The EV9 uses a one-piece handle, but a piece still needs to be removed to get a shot at the key hole. To do so, the door handle needs to be held open. Then the small somewhat flimsy cover needs to be removed (right). We used a finger nail in the video we did of the process, but the mechanical key may work better. Check out the video here.
We’ll say again, and keep saying it, that we really dislike the idea of mechanical keys not being integrated into the fob. The mechanical keys can easily be lost or simply left behind, and digital options on the smart phone have proven to be less than 100% effective and requires the start battery to be charged. A mechanical key is always 100% effective!
You can see the back entry page here. BTW, the page has become so unwieldy we intend to separate the three manufacturers. Soon.
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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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
We recently updated our video demonstrating how to open and start Audi A3 and Q3 with a dead key fob battery. As of 2020, the models hide the key hole behind a cap at the back of the driver’s door handle, but we get you past this obstacle.
Earlier A3 and Q3 models have a visible key hole. You can find our video covering these older cars here.
Of course, starting the car assumes that the start battery is good. And if not, we will can get you inside and ready for a jump start.
We added the video to our Audi video page, which now holds now 21 videos, covering Volkswagen models as well. You can see the page here. You can also see the video on YouTube here.
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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.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
I wanted to pass along something that happened to me recently, which really pointed out the knowledge gap between salespeople and service personnel, and when to call service!
I was trying out a new electric model, BMW‘s iX, and of course I had to ask about how to get at the key hole in case of the key fob battery dies. I was talking to the salesperson at the time.
Once we determined and demonstrated what the process was, he happened to say that it it was so much easier than another model, where one ends up scratching the paint!
Now I immediately knew that there was no model in the related line up that would ever see paint damage when getting to the key hole. He walked me over to one, a 5-Series, and I had the cap hiding the lock cylinder off in a single move. See the instructions here.
The point here is that he had clearly fielded at least one call from a customer trying to get into his or her car, and neither of them took the time to talk to a service advisor.
This is not exclusive to BMW at all, so regardless of make or model, this was a time to call the service department!
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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.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
We recently updated Buick opening instructions when the battery in the key fob dies. That’s on this page, the Buick dead key fob page.
This was necessitated by the new Envista introduced in 2024. Most Buick’s today hide their key holes, but the Envista is a whole new ball game. The key hole or lock cylinder is hiding behind an oval cap seen towards the rear of the driver’s door handle (right), which would need to be removed to expose the cylinder.
Removing the cap requires pulling the handle out and using the mechanical key to press on a difficult to see spot. See the page for full instructions.
Starting the car hasn’t changed, but it will assume that the start battery is good. And if not, we will can get you inside and ready for a jump start.
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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.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
We just finished updating our Buick Dashboard Symbols page, or at least we tried.
Generally, updating a manufacturer’s symbols page results in the addition of at least a half a dozen new symbols. This site now hosts over 1,000 symbols and telltales found on instrument panels.
In this case, and despite the introduction of a new model in 2024, the company is not using any new symbols! This is quite literally a first.
It also means that Buick models are not using any new systems in their vehicles. We are likely to get piled on in 2025!
Locked Out?
That new model, the Envista, however, does introduce a new door handle with a new way to hide the key hole (right). You can find out how to get inside if the battery in the key fob dies here at this link.
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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.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
How to Open, Start and Replace Fob Batteries in Holden Vehicles
We have three videos for Holden owners
This video is a compilation of five models.
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Flip key key fob battery replace.
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Traditional key fob battery replacement.
Models covered include the Commodore, Acadia, Equinox, Spark and Trax.
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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.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Finally, if you need or want another manufacturer, click here.
To start a Mercedes-Benz that uses the tapered SmartKey style, the engine Start / Stop ignition button must be removed. It appears to ‘float’ above the dashboard and is easily pulled away from the ignition lock. Insert the tapered end of the KEYLESS-GO key in the ignition lock and turn it to start and operate old school style.
Beginning in 2017, the ignition lock in AMG roadsters and coupes is found at the back of the center console storage area, as shown in the image. Insert the tapered key fob into the ignition lock and turn it to start and operate old school style.
In 2019, the AMG gets the new SmartKey, described next.
AMG Back-up Slot
Models using the new, rounded SmartKey fob styles , shown to the left, require that the fob be placed in a back up location or slot. These models, as of the 2019 model year, are the AMG, C-Class, E-Class and S-Class.
Warning! Do NOT attempt to remove the Start / Stop ignition button!
C-Class Back-up Slot
E-Class Back-up Slot
The back up slot in each model is found at the very front of the center console. Each slot is slightly different depending on the model, and an image from each model is shown here.
Each slot is marked by the image of a metal key with lines radiating from it, except for the C-Class, which has an image of the SmartKey fob itself (left).
S-Class Back-up Slot
Make sure that the slot is empty. Remove the SmartKey fob from the key ring and slide or place the fob into the slot with its buttons facing up. You can now start the car as normal. The car will recognize the key fob even if the fob’s internal battery is dead.
The new SmartKey fob style had spread through nearly the entire product line by the 2019 model year. However, the mark (the image of a metal key with lines radiating from it) is found in or near cup holders, which are at the front of the center console. See the two images at left. The 2021 S-Class Maybach uses the rear cup holder as well (second image) as well as a newer key fob. It is similar to the one shown above.
Also in 2019, Mercedes-Benz introduced the first of its electric and electrified models, the GLC 350e. And while the mark is also found in the cup holder, it too uses the image of the SmartKey (see the image to the right), like the updated C-Class models noted above. This will likely take over all model lines with time.
Finally come a small number of exceptions. Since 2019, the GLE and GLS SUVS use a slot, with the mark of a key with lines radiating from it, is found inside the center console storage area in the front. G-Class SUVs joined them in 2024. See the image to the left. Drop the key fob into the slot and start the vehicle as normal.
Note: For reasons unknown, all the Mercedes models we’ve tested have s light delay built in after the start/stop button is pushed and the key fob being recognized. Not to worry…
Note: If you have made an attempt to start the vehicle without success, there may be residual pressure in the brake system and a new warning light may appear (left) or text message to Step on the Brake. Press the brake pedal very, very hard when trying to start the vehicle again to be sure that the release switch behind the pedal is engaged. Or wait a few minutes and try again.
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.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Kia back up entry update includes a new entry method
Kia back up entry update
We have a new Kia back up entry update and, very much like we stated for Hyundai, the new processes make us wish they’d make up their minds. Back up entry processes are necessary for those moments when the key fob’s battery dies, which happens all too often. There is a brand new way to expose the key hole on the new EV9 and, again like parent Hyundai, the company has a new mechanical key that is separate from the key fob. Kia also has new digital — smart phone — access options.
The EV9 uses a one-piece handle, but a piece still needs to be removed to get a shot at the key hole. To do so, the door handle needs to be held open. Then the small somewhat flimsy cover needs to be removed (right). We used a finger nail in the video we did of the process, but the mechanical key may work better. Check out the video here.
We’ll say again, and keep saying it, that we really dislike the idea of mechanical keys not being integrated into the fob. The mechanical keys can easily be lost or simply left behind, and digital options on the smart phone have proven to be less than 100% effective and requires the start battery to be charged. A mechanical key is always 100% effective!
You can see the back entry page here. BTW, the page has become so unwieldy we intend to separate the three manufacturers. Soon.
——————————————————————-
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.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY