On 19/12/2021 at 09:26, agedbriar said:

The transition from working state to dead in a disposable lithium battery (primary cell) is typically sharp and may easily take place entirely while the key is away from the car. In that case, no "battery low" warning is issued.

 

With some battery brands, the above transition may be somewhat more gradual, giving the car system a better chance to detect the approaching battery death.

 

The above explains perfectly why it happens and no warning is issued.

 

As for spare keys I am now no longer storing with battery inside it as this is pointless as it is constantly draining the battery.

 

The fundamental problem is the design of the key it constantly drains the battery sending out a ping.

 

The new design should have longer battery life but for us with the old design we have to carry spares and practice the emergency protocols in case of battery failure.

Thanks for your reply 

2 hours ago, MJ1 said:

The above explains perfectly why it happens and no warning is issued.

 

As for spare keys I am now no longer storing with battery inside it as this is pointless as it is constantly draining the battery.

 

The fundamental problem is the design of the key it constantly drains the battery sending out a ping.

 

The new design should have longer battery life but for us with the old design we have to carry spares and practice the emergency protocols in case of battery failure.

I don’t think that is true of later cars. Put the key down and it goes to sleep after a short time to save battery and mainly as an anti theft measure. If not transmitting it can’t be used by thieves with a receiver and transmitter to access your car and steal it without actually getting the key.

my first battery lasted over 18 months of use with it being kept in a cupboard when at home and rarely used spare is still on original.

5 hours ago, MJ1 said:

As for spare keys I am now no longer storing with battery inside it as this is pointless as it is constantly draining the battery.

 

I thought of doing that myself, but I'm afraid it might throw the key out of synchronization.

rootoot gave a good idea, have a spare battery in the car - and I'd always say check the Owner's Manual for instructions of what to do with changing the battery as it may involve one or more steps you'd not expect.

 

Be careful where you buy your batteries from, I've seen a couple of posts mention Duracell not just cliff-edge stopping but also not last well or long, perhaps these were just bad batch or perhaps out of shelf life? (no idea about that) or simply counterfeit? (what isn't nowadays).

 

For keys and keyfobs I suggest alternating the use of both sets, how you alternate is up to what's best for you.

 

If you alternate use then you are a lot less likely to loose the "spare" key and the wear on the batteries, and dare I suggest wear on physical metal key blades and physical locks  (I'm so old fashion), will be more even and predicable.

 

Some might get more life out of the batteries by using them when they are close to the vehicle rather than half a carpark away (as I remind my wife, she ignores me though).

 

And as someone else suggested, sorry forget who now, if  the batteries are a problem perhaps best to change them every year as a preventative measure.

 

5 hours ago, nta16 said:

 

 

5 hours ago, nta16 said:

 

And as someone else suggested, sorry forget who now, if  the batteries are a problem perhaps best to change them every year as a preventative measure.

 

 

My car is serviced annually and the dealer changes the key battery each time. 

 

tom

15 hours ago, Sanqhar said:

My car is serviced annually and the dealer changes the key battery each time. 

My wife had that on her previous car, every 2 years IIRC, and the keyfob became intermittent, shortly after a service, so I was given the job of sorting it.  For whatever reason when I opened the fob the battery wasn't fully seated but it was a new battery so I just cleaned it and pushed it fully home and gave the keyfob back to my wife to try and it worked fine from then on, make of that what you will.

 

Edited 29 December, 20214 yr by nta16
added - shortly after a service

I remember my old E46 BMW 320d with an old fashioned bladed key, when you inserted the key into the ignition it would charge the rechargeable battery inside the keyfob.

 

Perhaps a future feature might be that the wireless phone charging pad in front of the gearlever could be used periodically to recharge the KESSY keyfobs 😄

I'm not sure if all dealers do this, but I can confirm that Des Winks Skoda in Scarborough replace the keyfob battery as part of my Kodiaq's annual service.

On 28/12/2021 at 08:12, MJ1 said:

The new design should have longer battery life but for us with the old design we have to carry spares and practice the emergency protocols in case of battery failure.

@kenfowler3966I agree those with the new design should not really have this problem. As I noted in my response

 

As

@Sanqhar

How much does your dealer charge for your services & is the Unit Price of the battery shown on the invoice? 

3 hours ago, silver1011 said:

Perhaps a future feature might be that the wireless phone charging pad in front of the gearlever could be used periodically to recharge the KESSY keyfobs 😄

 

Skoda could have it as one of their 'simply clever' ideas!   🙂

Discovered that I get a "battery not detected" message and car won't start if the car fob is in the same pocket as my mobile, separate pockets and all good!