achim11f

I have been owning a 2010 E550 with KEYLESS-GO for almost 3 months. During this time I went through 2 batteries for the SmartKey. I am surprised about the short life of the batteries - roughly 1 month per battery.

Any idea what I'm doing wrong or what could be the problem?

MERC_BENZ

Do you keep it in the same pocket as ur cellphone?

achim11f

No, never in the same pocket but I usually have both, the key and the cell phone on me.

BenzV12

This may sound awkward but do you keep the keys in the car after parking into the garage ?

Assuming your answer is no then try different product names such as GP , DURACELL 2032 .2025 is fine too but 2032s being slightly thicker should last longer .
I have been putting the key and the cell phone in the same pocket and key fob batteries last longer than 6 months

Another thing is key fob proximity range has something to do with the key fob battery as far as I know .You park the car nearby and the it gets connected with the smart key hence this should explain shorter battery life

achim11f

I don't keep the key in the garage but about 20 yards away in the house while the car is parked. Still, I'll check if the key can still communicate with the car while in the house.

I was also thinking that I might have bought a batch of 2 bad batteries. Since there are no obvious reasons, I hope I have better luck with the latest battery.

Thanks for your ideas!

Firestopper0383

So far, my key fob batteries are lasting about a year. I usually keep cell phone and key fob in separate pockets and the key fob while in the house about 40' from the garage.
I've been using Duracell 2032 batteries with pretty good luck.

dbldpr

are you buying the batteries from the same place? I know that sometimes the batteries are bad. Try buying from a different place.

Munich77

That is strange. I got about a one year out of the main key. I keep the key usually in the study which is no more than 20 feet from the car. The second key still has the original battery.

KEY08

Must be bad batteries as said. My 2010 E550 keyless Go fob batteries last me well over a year.

belarus27

same

markgm

I picked up a 15 pack from Amazon (Maxell) and the batteries lasted 3 weeks each at best. Went with another brand and haven't had any issue since.

instantfob

Many 3rd party vendors on amazon sells expired batteries.
Get the ones that are sold by amazon or pick up from your local CVS.

My keys lasted 13 months before the requiring new batteries.

starbrite

Plus, whatever you do stay away from Ebay. Lots of counterfeits there.

mnje350

Buy my replacements at Walgreens and try and keep the key as far away from the car as possible when parked at home. Batteries last 10 - 12 months. When the key is in close proximity to the car, it is constantly communicating with it. So I was told. I used to keep the key close to the garage and when I did that my battery life was 3 - 6 months. So I think there must be truth in this.

thefisch

IIRC someone posted that their dealer replaces their keyfob batteries for free if they ask. Others have posted that they charge. Might be working checking on - at least you'll get a free coffee while you're there.

LSkrabut

My Dealer had a package offer called VIP when I purchased the car.

Paid for the 1st oil change (Service A) for $99. This includes free FOB batteries, windshield chip repair, safety/emissions and free on the spot DMV remote cost, and every future Service A (odd count) for free. Only drawback, got to pay list price for the even services, the costly ones. For me, it somewhat works out.

I had the dealer replace the mainly used FOB battery at the 8th month, it went bad in 7 days, replace it again at the dealer. The 2nd FOB when bad on the 9th month of use, again dealer replaced. Neither time did they directly check to see if I brought in their VIP package, which of course I did. So far, 10 months of ownership, they are both working after the replacements.

dave-t

If you double tap the lock button it will put the key inhernation so the battery will not wear out. I typically recommend s customer doing that if they only use one of their two keys. To awake the key hit any button.

achim11f

Thanks for all the replies! So far my latest battery has not shown any signs of giving up. Perhaps I had bought a bad batch.

rediesel

Mine don't last nearly as long since I got 2 key-less cars. Got 4 months out of each battery.

Sean1234

Good tip, I only use one key and the odd time my wife takes the car she just takes my keys and I take hers. Will do this with the spare one for sure