Pntblnk

I've had my car for 9 months now and both key fobs have low batteries - or at least thats what the system is telling me. That said I can easily lock / unlock from 30+ feet with the remote. The warning will come on and will not clear for a week or so at a time and then it will suddenly go away to return a few days later.

I typically keep my key fob in the console (push to start / keyless entry) when parked in the garage. Does the system then constantly pull signal from the remote when in proximity of the car? They may have just had weak batteries to begin with but seems odd and wondered if keeping keys with the car overnight might have something to do with it.


Replacing the batteries this afternoon in both remotes and would prefer to have them last longer than 6-8 months.

listerone

IIRC (from the days I had an Infiniti with "keyless go") the keyfob is constantly sending out a signal with the expectation that it will be recieved by the vehicle.Also,exposing the keyfob to any real extremes of temperature wouldn't help the battery's life either.I think periodic changing of the battery is part of the price you pay for "keyless go".

hyperion667

I think it's leaving it in the car....they talk to each other and that'll wear your battery down I think......
but I may be wrong......
but I keep mine in my house and have never even thought twice about this concern.....

let us know what you find

CEB

Aside from the electronic problems caused by leaving the key in the car, you are also risking your insurance coverage.

Should the car be stolen, your insurance may not pay as you left the car unlocked with the 'key in ignition' (keyless go and key present)

There have been several court cases showing that a closed garage door in not sufficient to protect your car for insurance purposes.

Pntblnk

You are all right for a number of reasons. Have lived in a gated communities for the past 5 years and probably have a false sense of safety / protection.

I changed out the batteries this morning and will keep the key fob out of the car when not running to see how that works.

RNBRAD

My experience was they last 3 months kept in the car and 9 months out of the car.

hyperion667

wow, that seems short too,
come on batteries!!

RNBRAD

That's what I thought. My 211 batteries get changed about every 3 or 4 yrs as well as my other cars.

CEB

That seems awfully short. Except for a fob that must have had old batteries from the start, I've yet to replace batteries in any remote before two or three years.

There are a few reasons for short battery life:

Pressing on something while in your pocket
Old batteries
Heat/Cold - especially when left in car

PGT

I've had my car 18mos now and have changed batteries on each fob only once (and, just in the last 30 days for each)