[rmr927]

I'm at the end of a 3 year lease and I noticed a "Remote control battery is empty" alert on my dash. I figured OK...maybe...I've been using the same remote for 3 years now. So just to be safe, I switched to my 2nd remote which I've never used and I'm getting the same message. It just seems weird to me that on a remote I've never used, I'm getting a dead battery message. I'm wondering if there is a software glitch with the car and its reading something wrong and I'm getting a false message. I've got 2 weeks left with this lease and I really don't feel like taking it in. Anyone ever run into this issue?

[rmr927]

Nevermind...I should have look down a couple of posts...I see someone with the same issue.

In case anyone needs to know how to replace it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b4w7QyYl8w

[JDsX3]

For those who don't go to the link, the bottom line is whether you use the FOB or not, the battery slowly discharges, so after a couple of years even with no use, it will lack sufficient power to work. This is true of virtually all OEM FOBs.

[keithguido]

Doesn't hurt to keep a spare battery in a purse or the glove compartment. My F150 fob was fine when we parked at airport as it has a low battery warning. Come back 2 weeks later and it was dead. Luckily my wifes was fine or we were hosed at 10PM after 14 hour trans Atlantic fight.................

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by JDsX3

For those who don't go to the link, the bottom line is whether you use the FOB or not, the battery slowly discharges, so after a couple of years even with no use, it will lack sufficient power to work. This is true of virtually all OEM FOBs.

True of any battery operated device, no? Sits too long battery runs down

[JDsX3]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

True of any battery operated device, no? Sits too long battery runs down

True for sure of lead acid, AGMs and early lithium batteries. Most cars/vehicles have continual drains on the battery, no matter how small, that contributes to the decrease in reserve. How the battery is maintained also contributes (short trips are the worst for battery life, as is extreme cold and heat, and vibration). Then the chemistry of the battery itself (independent of any external draw) also slowly loses the stored charge.

However, some of the newest lithium chemistry and battery construction is making great strides in significantly reducing the loss of stored charge. I am doing some research as part of my product testing on a new lithium battery that can go 6 to 9 months while retaining 75-90% of its charge, and go up to two years until full discharge. I'll put a post up once I have finished the preliminary review.

[383vett]

Originally Posted by JDsX3

True for sure of lead acid, AGMs and early lithium batteries. Most cars/vehicles have continual drains on the battery, no matter how small, that contributes to the decrease in reserve. How the battery is maintained also contributes (short trips are the worst for battery life, as is extreme cold and heat, and vibration). Then the chemistry of the battery itself (independent of any external draw) also slowly loses the stored charge.

However, some of the newest lithium chemistry and battery construction is making great strides in significantly reducing the loss of stored charge. I am doing some research as part of my product testing on a new lithium battery that can go 6 to 9 months while retaining 75-90% of its charge, and go up to two years until full discharge. I'll put a post up once I have finished the preliminary review.

I think the above posters are referring to the key fob battery.

[JDsX3]

Originally Posted by 383vett

I think the above posters are referring to the key fob battery.

Yes, but I was responding to BMWZ4 post.