Key Fob

///M-er-gized · 12-05-2020, 06:09 PM

Is it normal for the key fob battery to last only 18 months?

I swapped batteries from key fob 2 to key fob 1 to get it working again. Not ideal, but that's my best alternative right now.

I'm on my 5th BMW. Can't remember the battery ever running out on any key fob before.

raduron10 · 12-06-2020, 01:26 AM

Hi, yes it's normal.

I changed the battery 3 times in 2 years already, it is the 4th BMW for me and never seen such "hungry" keys before. And I have the normal key, not the display one.
Also the car helps you by signaling everytime you get into the car that the keyfob battery needs changing, I drove like that for 1 month or so forgetting to buy the required battery and I had no issues.

I believe it still has some reserve power even when it shows the message.

AP · 12-07-2020, 07:51 AM

Depends on use obviously. Both of mine lasted just over 3 years.

Resjudicata · 12-07-2020, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

Is it normal for the key fob battery to last only 18 months?

I swapped batteries from key fob 2 to key fob 1 to get it working again. Not ideal, but that's my best alternative right now.

I'm on my 5th BMW. Can't remember the battery ever running out on any key fob before.

3-4 years is normal, but anything from weather (hot/cold/humidity) to daily use or inactivity can dramatically affect batteries in fob.
2 years isn't crazy, but it's quicker than most.

///M-er-gized · 12-08-2020, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resjudicata

3-4 years is normal, but anything from weather (hot/cold/humidity) to daily use or inactivity can dramatically affect batteries in fob.
2 years isn't crazy, but it's quicker than most.

I have less than 10,000 miles on my car and I've had it for 18 months. Not driving to work every day because of COVID19...

Maybe it's because of inactivity then...

AlteBMW · 12-09-2020, 02:47 PM

More recent model years seem to to have keys that have batteries that last a year or two, tops. Maybe they changed the circuitry in the keys.

hlothery · 12-10-2020, 07:10 AM

Mine lasted just over two years, but I use it to roll down the windows five times a week when I play golf, which requires holding the unlock key for several seconds. It is very easy to buy a two pack of batteries to keep in the car.

12-05-2020, 06:09 PM	#1
///M-er-gized Captain 687 Rep 663 Posts Drives: 2019 540i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Key Fob Is it normal for the key fob battery to last only 18 months? I swapped batteries from key fob 2 to key fob 1 to get it working again. Not ideal, but that's my best alternative right now. I'm on my 5th BMW. Can't remember the battery ever running out on any key fob before. __________________ 2019 540i \| Black Sapphire \| Black Dakota Leather with Blue Stitching \| M Sport Package \| Executive Tier \| Driver Assistance \| Parking Assistance \| HK \| M Sport Brakes \| Leather Dashboard 2016 M3 \| YMB \| Black Extended Merino \| CF Roof \| CF Trim \| DCT \| Adaptive \| Executive
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12-06-2020, 01:26 AM	#2
raduron10 Private First Class 45 Rep 135 Posts Drives: Bmw G30 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Italy iTrader: (0)	Hi, yes it's normal. I changed the battery 3 times in 2 years already, it is the 4th BMW for me and never seen such "hungry" keys before. And I have the normal key, not the display one. Also the car helps you by signaling everytime you get into the car that the keyfob battery needs changing, I drove like that for 1 month or so forgetting to buy the required battery and I had no issues. I believe it still has some reserve power even when it shows the message.
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12-07-2020, 07:51 AM	#3
AP Major General 2873 Rep 5,162 Posts Drives: G30 M550 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Depends on use obviously. Both of mine lasted just over 3 years.
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12-09-2020, 02:47 PM	#6
AlteBMW Lieutenant Colonel 742 Rep 1,618 Posts Drives: '23 760ix; '23 X3; '23 MB wgn Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 X3 x30 [0.00] 2023 BMW 760ix [10.00] 2023 Mercedes E450 ... [0.00]	More recent model years seem to to have keys that have batteries that last a year or two, tops. Maybe they changed the circuitry in the keys. __________________ BMWCCA Current: 23 760ix (Carbon Black/Tartufo) (after first one totaled) '23 X3; '23 MB E Wagon Prior: BMWs (3,5,7 & 8 series (2x!)) X3, MB (C, E, and S), Alfa GTV, MGB, Audi (A4, A6), Saab, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Chevy, Rambler.
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12-10-2020, 07:10 AM	#7
hlothery Seeking mental floss 482 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2022 Mercedes EQS 450+ Join Date: May 2016 Location: San Antonio, Tx iTrader: (0)	Mine lasted just over two years, but I use it to roll down the windows five times a week when I play golf, which requires holding the unlock key for several seconds. It is very easy to buy a two pack of batteries to keep in the car.
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