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In today’s world, a key fob which acts as a remote keyless entry is a sign of luxury in cars. So, every car manufacturer is trying to include this system in their car. You can add bike keychains to key fobs for an added aesthetic value. We will also guide you on how to replace the battery of a key fob.
Types of key fob
There are two broad kinds of key fobs – a remote one and a keyless entry one.
Remote key
This is the first kind of key fobs. Here, you get the key tucked inside the key fob. Rest features include remote controlled locking and unlocking of car doors, turning headlights on and blowing horn to find the car etc.
In this kind of key fob, you cannot start the car without the key like an usual old car system. You need to put the key in and turn to start the engine. Here, you can unlock the driver side door with the key too.
It has a disadvantage when compared to keyless entry key fobs. That is, it works from a larger distance and so, if anyone presses the unlock from a large distance then someone else comes and gets inside the car then you cannot do anything.
Keyless entry
As the name suggests, you don’t have any key here. That is, you cannot use a key to unlock the door or start the engine. These have sensors and as soon as you go near the car door and press the request sensor button, it unlocks.
It is much safer as the car won’t unlock from a distance. You need the key fobs near the car request sensor for it to unlock. It is very convenient as you can just keep the key fob in your pocket and forget about it. You don’t need to take it out or do anything else.
After you get inside the car, you don’t need to put in the key to start the car. In fact, there is no place to put in the key and obviously you don’t even have a key. You just need to press the clutch and press the engine start button on the dashboard and the car will come to life.
So what if the battery dies in a key fob?
For remote-controlled key fob:
It is simple. You press the button for the key as when you need to start the car. In the same way, take out the key and you unlock the door with the key.
For keyless entry key fobs:
Here, the key is hidden. Pull the key ring part and the key will pop out. You can unlock the doors with it.
Now how to start the car as these cars don’t have a keyhole to start. Take the key fobs and bring it completely close to the engine start button and press the button. It has sensors there and it will work even if the battery dies. The car will start.
How do you know if your keyfob battery is dying?
3 signs that your keyfob battery is dying:
- Worsening signal strength:
The first thing you will notice is the decreasing sensitivity of the key fobs. You can easily notice this in the remote-controlled key fobs. If you used to unlock your car from 4-5 meters, now you will need to go up to 2 meters to get it to work.
In the keyless entry too, it won’t unlock if kept in your pocket. You will need to keep it in your hand while unlocking it. Also, the car won’t start when the key fobs is in your pocket and you will need to bring it near the start button.
- Over clicking
You may start to require clicking the key fob button more times to unlock the doors. This indicates a low battery.
- Inconsistent Function
Sometimes the key fobs works well and sometimes it needs more clicks. This is a clear sign of a dying battery. Get the battery replaced immediately. You may ignore it but don’t do so as you will lose all the convenience of easily locking and unlocking your car.
How to replace the battery of your key fob?
After you have encountered the signs of a dying battery, try to replace the battery as fast as you can.
I recommend using Duracell 2032 for key fobs. It is compatible with Maruti Suzuki key fobs and I can vouch for other manufacturers. But most likely, all key fobs use this same battery.
To open the key fob, you will need a thermocol cutter or a useless atm card or any thin flat head screwdriver. First, remove the key ring by pulling it. The key will come out.
Now you will be able to see a notch on the body of the key fobs. Insert the screwdriver and twist it a bit and the cover will open. You will be able to see the battery cell here. Simply remove that cell and put in the new battery. You’re done.
So, a key fobs makes our life easy and we don’t have to lock and unlock each and every door like the old times. If you are riding bikes, you can use these riding accessories for added safety and styling.
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