On our 2018 (so changed the batteries a few times now) Ateca I've had 100% success since we started using Energiser CR2025's, generally getting 12mths out of them.

 

Early in its life the dealer changed one, charging our daughter £12, and it didn't work leaving the dealership.  They took the fob away and she presumed changed the battery again, but the fob failed a month later.  That was a Panasonic battery.

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who posted on here.  All batteries are not equal! Whilst away in the wilds of Scotland my fob stopped working and without this thread I would have been stuck with a tow to Skoda. :0(

The Duracell batteries did not work, the cheap ones from the local shop did not work but the Panasonic worked immediately without the need to resync. Hope this helps someone else too.

If your key fob does fail, you shouldn't need a tow, at least not on the Octavia.   There is a hidden key hole in the drivers door handle.  Pull the drivers door handle outwards a bit, grasp the plastic cover to the left of the handle, which should pull off to reveal the key-hole.  You can now open the car manually.  It may set your alarm off, but at least you can still drive the car.

On 29/10/2024 at 18:35, JJC77 said:

... at least you can still drive the car.

... unless it's of the KESSY kind. For those, a spare battery in the wallet helps.

1 hour ago, agedbriar said:

... unless it's of the KESSY kind. For those, a spare battery in the wallet helps.

 

I think even the Kessy cars have the hidden keyhole...   and as for starting it that doesn't need a fob battery - just push the start button with the fob itself rather than your finger and it'll work.

2 hours ago, skomaz said:

 

I think even the Kessy cars have the hidden keyhole...   and as for starting it that doesn't need a fob battery - just push the start button with the fob itself rather than your finger and it'll work.

 

There is a reader on the steering column where the ignition barrel should be on my Passat, not tried to see if there is one near the start button though.

46 minutes ago, SuperbTWM said:

 

There is a reader on the steering column where the ignition barrel should be on my Passat, not tried to see if there is one near the start button though.

 

It's same on Ateca - our daughter became quite adept at doing it - so I assume it's same on Karoq.

4 hours ago, skomaz said:

... just push the start button with the fob itself rather than your finger and it'll work.

 

Unfortunately, that doesn't work for everyone. Even the manual says it's something to try.

Personally, I've had mixed results from that expedient. It sure must be attempted several times before giving up.

 

Edited 31 October, 20241 yr by agedbriar

48 minutes ago, agedbriar said:

 

Unfortunately, that doesn't work for everyone. Even the manual says it's something to try.

Personally, I've had mixed results from that expedient. It sure must be attempted several times before giving up.

 

Interestingly other manuals say press the button then place the back of the fob on the button...   Might be something different to try and probably depends on where the transponder is within the key.

use duracell 2025 battery. it fixed the problem