Car key fobs allow you to unlock the doors and trigger the ignition system for your vehicle. They are also a secure and convenient replacement for the older manual key systems.

While this is the case, the unfortunate thing is that you must maintain the fobs properly to continue getting the most from them. One of the primary maintenance tasks is replacing the batteries when they wear out.

Of course, the frequency you do it depends on how often you use the key fob and its build quality.

How do you tell it’s time to replace your key fob battery? There are several things you need to look out for, with the common ones being:

Reduced signal strength

Most fob keys have a signal strength of between 30-60 feet. Within this range, your car can lock when you walk away and unlock when you approach it.

Unfortunately, as the battery wears out, the range and signal strength of the fob transmitter reduces.

If you notice that your key remote doesn’t unlock your door when you walk away, lock it when you get closer, or start the engine, it’s to get a new battery.

You need multiple clicks to unlock the doors.

When your key fob is functioning optimally, it will lock and unlock the doors with a single click. If you have noticed that you need multiple clicks to lock or unlock the doors, chances are high that your key fob battery is worn out, and you need to replace it.

Different car models have different ways of replacing the batteries, and you need to know how to do it to avoid damaging your key fob battery.

The key fob works inconsistently.

A properly working key fob will unlock and lock the car door when you click on it. Some of the key fobs also trigger the ignition system. Here you need to insert them into a dashboard slot, or they send an electronic signal to the vehicle ECU, allowing you to press the “start” button.

When you click on the fob, and it ignites the car while you expect it to unlock the car door, the battery might be worn out, and you need to replace it.

Valuable tips when replacing the car fob battery

As a rule of thumb, use the right battery. This calls for you to remove the old battery from the key fob so that you know the type you need for your specific vehicle. You can also consult your mechanic or check the manual to tell the right battery to go for. You can buy the new battery from your local car store or order it online.

After buying the new battery, follow the right procedure when replacing it. You can easily replace the battery by yourself, but if you aren’t confident in your skills, let a licensed mechanic help you out.

While you can replace the fob battery anytime, avoid letting the battery wear out completely before replacing it. This is because the fob sensors reset, and as a result you cannot connect to your specific vehicle. You don’t want this, do you?