Key Fob battery running out few months????!!!
 

So i have one 2016 and one 2017 GLE 350 SUV, and I have one 2014 E350.

I've already replaced the key batteries in the 2016 GLE five times, twice in the 2017 GLE.

I've had the E-Class for about two years and I don't replace it that often, maybe about every year or so.

My early 2000s Toyota's key still has not run out of battery. Is it the new SmartKey for KeylessGo that is draining the battery so quickly?

I also had a Lexus for 3 years, and the key battery didn't drain at all, and I never had to replace it.

Is this normal for my GLEs? I've heard that the batteries are rated for 6 months of use, but I don't think that it would be that low, right?:confused:

Let me know if you guys know anything about this. Thanks :)

Sure... frankly the Mercedes batteries (made by Panasonic) are old stock and last about 6 months... genuine fresh Panasonic (red package) are good for 1yr or more... like $7 for 25 should be 5-6 yr supply for you..


When one-of-the-two-keys-for-that-MB is down - then replace batteries both Fob's .... unless you "switch off keyless function" that 2nd key...

All the Service Adviser excuses are just excuses that they don't know better

Thank you so much! Your reply has been really helpful. Do you happen to know how to disable Keyless Go on the 2nd key?

Thanks, once again. You are a lifesaver.:D

Press the "Lock" button on the remote twice in rapid succession. The red LED on the remote should glow steady for about a second to confirm this.

I started out at the end of January with a new battery in the remote I'm using in my '16 GLE 350 and a used one in the other remote. If a spare remote isn't being regularly it should only have a minimal power drain so I'd expect it to still be working when the current one needs a battery.
We shall see since I'm using the KeylessGo too. At least the batteries aren't unique so they are fairly inexpensive while being easy to change.

I also got the key cover Mercedes offers to cover the buttons since I found that things in my pocket were pressing buttons on occasion so perhaps activating the remote this way could be one reason why a battery doesn't last as long.

Are you storing your keys where they could possibly still be in range of the vehicle? That can be known to kill batteries.

That's the purpose of disabling Keyless Go. Normally, your remote and car are continuously communicating with each other. This presents a constant battery drain. When you disable Keyless Go, the remote is turned completely off. Proof of this is when you get into the car with a disabled remote and try to start it, you'll get a message in the multi-function display saying, "No Key Detected". This happened to me. I'd forgotten I turned off the remote. I replaced the battery, only to realize the battery was just fine. It was the original battery that was two years old. The remote's battery should NOT be dying after six months, regardless of how much you use it.

Duplicate post

Car Key Cloning
 

The video below is another reason to disable Keyless Go if you park your car in the driveway. Read the comments for details. This video was in the UK, but it's here too. At home, I always park in the garage. However, I disable my key whenever I go to shopping centers, malls, airports, etc.....any location that's preferred by car-theft rings. Anyone can see you exit your vehicle, follow you, and just clone your key. Then, while you're relaxing eating in a restaurant, go back to your car and drive off. Luckily, we have the capability of disabling our remotes. You'll read articles telling you to wrap your remote in aluminum foil. This blocks radio wave transmission to and from your remote. We don't have to do that. We can simply turn the remote off.



I installed these as well:

https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...deterrent.html

Personally I'd rather just move my key farther away from the garage than to disable a key feature(see what I did there?) of my vehicle. I don't like taking my key out of my pocket.

Sorry about this - if you don't turn off the Keyless Feature on your spare key - then 24/7 BOTH keys are operating Keyless transceiver live.... so both will go dead "about" the same time... this "how close" ... you want your key in the house out-of-normal-keyless range to avoid faster drain..

"If a spare remote isn't being regularly it should only have a minimal power drain so I'd expect it to still be working when the current one needs a battery.If a spare remote isn't being regularly it should only have a minimal power drain so I'd expect it to still be working when the current one needs a battery."

But how will you know how far is far enough? You have no idea of the range of the key cloning electronics they use. If they don't pick up a signal initially, these thieves have been known to actually walk the circumference of your house. It takes no longer to disable the key than it does to lock the car normally.

I give zero effs about key cloning. My vehicle is insured. How far is far enough? Good question, it can't be that far though. It's not a high powered broadcast signal. I suppose if you're still experiencing battery drain issues, then it's not far enough.

on the safety side. i bought 2 of these for the cars that stay outside. work perfectly.
there are some smaller that you could carry with you, but enough is enough.

for the spare keys, i put them in a metal cookie box and the RF is cut out.

good luck, ron

You don't need these. All you have to do is disable you remote by pressing the "Lock" button twice. This turns the remote off. It is neither sending or receiving radio signals.

So is it just as easy to turn back on?

Pressing any button instantly reactivates the remote. So, all you have to do is press the "Unlock" button and the remote is back to normal.

I've had the truck since September 2017. I've changed the batteries on both fobs at least twice since. Our fobs are always at least 20' away from the truck, never in the garage.
Batteries are high-end stuff, not dollar store crap. I've simply accepted this and wait 'till the fob no longer works, then change the battery.

You know, lose the battle, win the war....

Thanks to this thread, I tried deactivating one remote as described and can confirm it's easy and hassle free. The vehicle doesn't know you have the remote with the doors not unlocking and instantly unlocks with the remote and is active again.

This is another awesome example of the value of this forum!

this is a horrifying video! will definitely keep this in mind. thank you!