How long does your key fob battery last?

ThePathfinder · 02-03-2021, 08:30 PM

I have a '19 X3 that was built in late 2018. I took delivery of the car in mid-late 2019 (August/September). I got my first "remote control battery empty" warning around June/July of 2020.

Now I just chalked that one up to the fact that the car was sitting for an entire year before I bought it and the battery in the fob was approaching 2 years old.

Now, 6 months later since I last replaced the fob battery, I'm getting another "remote control battery empty" notification.

How long does your key battery last? Is it normal for it to run out so quickly? I live in a Condo so my key is nowhere in range of the car when I'm not driving it.

comber · 02-04-2021, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePathfinder

I have a '19 X3 that was built in late 2018. I took delivery of the car in mid-late 2019 (August/September). I got my first "remote control battery empty" warning around June/July of 2020.

Now I just chalked that one up to the fact that the car was sitting for an entire year before I bought it and the battery in the fob was approaching 2 years old.

Now, 6 months later since I last replaced the fob battery, I'm getting another "remote control battery empty" notification.

How long does your key battery last? Is it normal for it to run out so quickly? I live in a Condo so my key is nowhere in range of the car when I'm not driving it.

My case, X3 delivered August 2018:

Display key, the one I have used the most, still with the first battery and no warning at all.

"Normal" key fob warned me almost 2 years and a half after delivery, I haven't used it too much however

Activity key, I bought it in July 2020 and warned me exactly the same week as the normal key fob, it has lasted less than 6 months.

EDIT: I know cases from the Spanish forum who had the warning, replaced the battery with a cheap one from a petrol station, and warning was still there. Then bought a better one in a watch shop, and warning finally disappeared.

HoustonEaDo · 02-04-2021, 05:50 AM

Almost 3 yrs with mine - still original battery and no warnings yet....

MJE60 · 02-04-2021, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePathfinder

I have a '19 X3 that was built in late 2018. I took delivery of the car in mid-late 2019 (August/September). I got my first "remote control battery empty" warning around June/July of 2020.

Now I just chalked that one up to the fact that the car was sitting for an entire year before I bought it and the battery in the fob was approaching 2 years old.

Now, 6 months later since I last replaced the fob battery, I'm getting another "remote control battery empty" notification.

How long does your key battery last? Is it normal for it to run out so quickly? I live in a Condo so my key is nowhere in range of the car when I'm not driving it.

The answer obviously depends on use, so someone locking and unlocking their car many times a day will burn up the battery quicker than a once a day driver. In my two key fobs, main and spare one needed a new battery after about 2 years and the other was still fine after three years. It is possible the “new: battery you fitted was tired, if your key fob was malfunctioning I doubt it would have lasted 6 months.

brettl · 02-04-2021, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comber

My case, X3 delivered August 2018:

Display key, the one I have used the most, still with the first battery and no warning at all.

"Normal" key fob warned me almost 2 years and a half after delivery, I haven't used it too much however

Activity key, I bought it in July 2020 and warned me exactly the same week as the normal key fob, it has lasted less than 6 months.

EDIT: I know cases from the Spanish forum who had the warning, replaced the battery with a cheap one from a petrol station, and warning was still there. Then bought a better one in a watch shop, and warning finally disappeared.

Wait, activity key? As in a wrist type key? We’re did you get that? Is that an option?

comber · 02-04-2021, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brettl

Wait, activity key? As in a wrist type key? We’re did you get that? Is that an option?

Yep, that's it. It comes with an accessory box, so you can use it as a wrist type key, keychain, with a clip in your pocket...

If your car has comfort access, it is compatible, and you can order it in your dealer using your VIN number. References I ordered were:

66122471786 for activity key itself. It may vary depending on the market since the frequencies are not the same, so it is better to order it with the VIN.
66122445001 for the accessory box. This is the same in all markets.

JSY · 02-04-2021, 12:35 PM

Prior to my G01, mine would last more than 3 years but starting with the G01, it was about 2 years.

I suspect that if you use it to open and close the tailgate... or use any function where you are holding a button down on the fob - that it'll greatly reduce the battery life.

deladude · 02-04-2021, 02:05 PM

This topic has been discussed a few times already. Its pretty minor but still annoying and confusing why it warns of low battery well before the battery is low.

My experience is described here:
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1684171

kamek · 02-04-2021, 02:10 PM

I have a 2018 that I took delivery of in Feb 2018 - I only use one key (regular key) and I haven't needed to change the battery yet.

titomi · 02-04-2021, 03:25 PM

MY18, using mostly regular fob - didn't need to change the battery yet. The display key was replaced a month ago due to fault. Until that, it worked fine.

b.guggenmos · 02-04-2021, 07:45 PM

My 2019 lasted about 18 months. I set a reminder in Outlook to replace yearly.

Monkeyboxers · 02-04-2021, 11:41 PM

4 years for mine, pretty good. Though got scared when the battery error kept popping up, wasn't sure how to start the car with using a key. Still have no clue.

comber · 02-05-2021, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyboxers

4 years for mine, pretty good. Though got scared when the battery error kept popping up, wasn't sure how to start the car with using a key. Still have no clue.

Just put your key fob next to steering column, where there is a small key drawn, and car will start with no problem even if you don't have any battery left.

This is how it looks in my G01:

suby01 · 02-05-2021, 02:02 PM

Mine was exactly 12 months on both keys.

chassis · 02-05-2021, 03:23 PM

How long? Don’t know. The batteries are replaced every 12 months as regular maintenance. They haven’t failed between replacements.

chicagofan00 · 02-05-2021, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chassis

How long? Don’t know. The batteries are replaced every 12 months as regular maintenance. They haven’t failed between replacements.

Same. The dealership has replaced my batteries during regular condition based services so I've never gotten the warning so far.

JDsX3 · 02-05-2021, 08:53 PM

FOB batteries are really very inexpensive, for example, check Amazon. Why even try to stretch how long you can use it before it fails. It is a CR2032 battery and costs between 50 cents and a couple of bucks at most, depending on where you get it and how many you get.

kevinwoods · 02-06-2021, 07:18 AM

My key battery only last a few months as well. Took delivery of my brand new 2019 X3 on Sept 2019 and in less than three months the battery was low. dealer changed the battery, and it last less than 8 months. I switched to the other key fob. it is also low in battery in less than a year. I just ignore it now. waiting for next oil change to ask dealer to change it.

02-03-2021, 08:30 PM	#1
ThePathfinder Registered 2 Rep 2 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: GTA, ON iTrader: (0)	How long does your key fob battery last? I have a '19 X3 that was built in late 2018. I took delivery of the car in mid-late 2019 (August/September). I got my first "remote control battery empty" warning around June/July of 2020. Now I just chalked that one up to the fact that the car was sitting for an entire year before I bought it and the battery in the fob was approaching 2 years old. Now, 6 months later since I last replaced the fob battery, I'm getting another "remote control battery empty" notification. How long does your key battery last? Is it normal for it to run out so quickly? I live in a Condo so my key is nowhere in range of the car when I'm not driving it.
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02-04-2021, 05:50 AM	#3
HoustonEaDo First Lieutenant 160 Rep 372 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Houston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	Almost 3 yrs with mine - still original battery and no warnings yet....
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02-04-2021, 12:35 PM	#7
JSY Major 578 Rep 1,108 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2021 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2018 BMW X3 M40i [9.33] 2015 BMW X3 35i [9.50]	Prior to my G01, mine would last more than 3 years but starting with the G01, it was about 2 years. I suspect that if you use it to open and close the tailgate... or use any function where you are holding a button down on the fob - that it'll greatly reduce the battery life.
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02-04-2021, 02:05 PM	#8
deladude Second Lieutenant 266 Rep 294 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Vermont iTrader: (0)	This topic has been discussed a few times already. Its pretty minor but still annoying and confusing why it warns of low battery well before the battery is low. My experience is described here: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1684171
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02-04-2021, 02:10 PM	#9
kamek Brigadier General 358 Rep 3,447 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 328xi [8.20]	I have a 2018 that I took delivery of in Feb 2018 - I only use one key (regular key) and I haven't needed to change the battery yet.
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02-04-2021, 03:25 PM	#10
titomi Colonel 928 Rep 2,046 Posts Drives: X3 G01 30i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: EU iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 G01 [0.00]	MY18, using mostly regular fob - didn't need to change the battery yet. The display key was replaced a month ago due to fault. Until that, it worked fine. __________________ '18 G01 X3 xDrive 30i xLine, Sophisto grey, Vernasca Mocha, Adaptive
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02-04-2021, 07:45 PM	#11
b.guggenmos Private First Class 80 Rep 176 Posts Drives: X3M40I Phytonic Blue Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Olympia Washington iTrader: (0)	My 2019 lasted about 18 months. I set a reminder in Outlook to replace yearly. __________________ 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring 1970 Boss 302 Mustang 1965 Comet Cyclone 351C, Jerico 10.50@128 1965 Comet Cyclone 289 4 Speed 1932 Ford Five Window Coupe
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02-04-2021, 11:41 PM	#12
Monkeyboxers Second Lieutenant 84 Rep 236 Posts Drives: '21 X3 30i G01 M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	4 years for mine, pretty good. Though got scared when the battery error kept popping up, wasn't sure how to start the car with using a key. Still have no clue.
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02-05-2021, 02:02 PM	#14
suby01 Cowboy Astronaut Millionaire 2324 Rep 2,891 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: CT, USA iTrader: (0)	Mine was exactly 12 months on both keys. __________________ The Youtubes https://youtu.be/gzinBJjxIUY Insta https://www.instagram.com/gatosandturbos/
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02-05-2021, 03:23 PM	#15
chassis Colonel 6689 Rep 2,344 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	How long? Don’t know. The batteries are replaced every 12 months as regular maintenance. They haven’t failed between replacements.
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02-05-2021, 08:53 PM	#17
JDsX3 Photojournalist, Tech & Product Analyst 521 Rep 474 Posts Drives: BMW X3, i4, Corvette Stingray Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	FOB batteries are really very inexpensive, for example, check Amazon. Why even try to stretch how long you can use it before it fails. It is a CR2032 battery and costs between 50 cents and a couple of bucks at most, depending on where you get it and how many you get. __________________ Current:2024 i4 Mineral White Metallic with Blue Exterior Accents, Canberra Beige Perforated SensaTec, Premium Package, Driving Assistance Pro Package, Drive Recorder. 2019 X3 Mineral White Metallic, Caberra Beige interior with most options. Corvette Stingray Arctic White w red interior. Past:2002 Z3, Corvette Stingray and about 40 other cars
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02-06-2021, 07:18 AM	#18
kevinwoods Private 27 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	My key battery only last a few months as well. Took delivery of my brand new 2019 X3 on Sept 2019 and in less than three months the battery was low. dealer changed the battery, and it last less than 8 months. I switched to the other key fob. it is also low in battery in less than a year. I just ignore it now. waiting for next oil change to ask dealer to change it.
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